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Downtown Modesto tree topples onto car that hit it, pinning driver

By Deke Farrow
At about 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, a driver struck a tree near the intersection of Ninth and L streets. The impact was enough to shear the tree at its base and topple the tree onto the car, pinning in the driver. He suffered minor injuries, police said.
At about 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, a driver struck a tree near the intersection of Ninth and L streets. The impact was enough to shear the tree at its base and topple the tree onto the car, pinning in the driver. He suffered minor injuries, police said. Modesto Fire Department

A car hit a tree in downtown Modesto early Tuesday, authorities said, and the tree then fell onto the car.

About 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, police and firefighters were dispatched to a report of a vehicle crashing into a tree near the intersection of Ninth and L streets, according to a Modesto Fire Department battalion chief’s report.

The first fire crew to arrive found the tree on Ninth Street sheared off at the base and resting on the car. Actually, it enveloped the car. Battalion Chief Andrew Hunter said firefighters couldn’t even see it without sawing off branches.

By removing tree limbs, firefighters were able to get to the driver, an adult male who was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The driver’s name and age were not available. Officers did determine he was not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Police Department spokeswoman Sharon Bear said.

This story was originally published October 1, 2019 at 8:55 AM.

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