Driver killed in crash into pole near Turlock Reservoir

A driver was killed Thursday morning when he lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole on Hawkins Road southwest of the Turlock Lake State Recreation Area.

The single-vehicle crash was reported about 6:45 a.m. Emergency personnel arrived, about a mile north of East Keyes Road, to find a 2004 Pontiac overturned and on fire, with the driver inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A property owner was trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher.

The California Highway Patrol determined the driver, who remained unidentified Thursday afternoon, was heading north on Hawkins when he crested a rise in the road and lost control. The Pontiac went onto the west shoulder of the road and struck a barbed-wire fence, the CHP said. The car overturned, struck a power pole and came to rest on its side.

An air ambulance that had been dispatched was asked to stay on its way as responders searched the surrounding area for anyone who may have been ejected from the vehicle. No passengers were found.

Hawkins Road temporarily was closed between Keyes and Lake roads as the crash was investigated. It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash, the CHP said Thursday afternoon.

This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 7:30 AM with the headline "Driver killed in crash into pole near Turlock Reservoir."