Winton woman dies in Highway 99 crash near Salida

A Winton woman died early Saturday after she lost control of her vehicle and crashed along Highway 99 near Salida.

The crash occurred about 2:30 a.m. on the highway just south of Hammett Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The woman was driving a 2004 Ford Explorer north on Highway 99 at an unknown speed. The CHP said the Explorer was approaching a right-hand curve in the road, when she lost control of the vehicle.

The Explorer overturned and drifted onto the west shoulder of the northbound lanes. The CHP reported that the vehicle came to rest on its roof against a guardrail in the center median.

The woman and a Winton man, who was a passenger in the Explorer, were pinned inside the vehicle before authorities could free them. The driver and her passenger were wearing seat belts when the crash occurred.

The CHP said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger suffered major injuries in the crash and was taken by ambulance to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.

Investigators said alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor in the crash. No other vehicle was involved.

The CHP said the name of the woman who died was pending proper family notification. Her age, along with the name and age of the passenger, were unavailable Sunday.

This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Winton woman dies in Highway 99 crash near Salida."