Man injured after SUV crashes into trailer in west Modesto

A man driving a sport-utility vehicle suffered major injuries after he rear-ended a trailer being towed by a tractor in west Modesto on Friday night.

The accident in the 3200 block of Blue Gum Avenue occurred about 9 p.m.

California Highway Patrol Officer Aaron Norseen said the driver of the SUV was heading west on Blue Gum when he came upon the trailer. Norseen said the driver told him he was traveling about 45 mph on the two-lane, dimly lit stretch of road.

Whether a lack of lighting played a role is unknown. Norseen said he did not know how fast the tractor was traveling.

Norseen said it was not known if the farm vehicle – or so-called implement of husbandry – had lights on the trailer it was towing. He could not specifically say what the vehicle code rules are with regard to farm vehicles and lights, but that would be part of the investigation and whether or not anyone is cited.

Firefighters with the Woodland Avenue Fire Protection District helped extricate the man from his vehicle.

Norseen said he did not believe the driver of the tractor suffered injuries. There were no signs that alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident, the officer said.

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 11:56 PM with the headline "Man injured after SUV crashes into trailer in west Modesto."