Update: Coroner ID’s man killed in crash near Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center in Hughson
The man killed in a head-on collision near the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center in Hughson has been identified as 33-year-old Roy Gillespie of Sonora, the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office said.
California Highway Patrol officers responded to a call just before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on Geer Road, just north of East Hatch Road, for two vehicles that had collided and overturned, Officer Tom Olsen said.
The initial investigation found that the driver of a 2005 Chevy pickup, a 61-year-old Delhi man, was driving south on Geer when his vehicle drifted right and struck a raised curb.
This sent the truck left into oncoming traffic, where it struck Gillespie’s 2013 Nissan sedan head-on, Olsen said.
Gillespie was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Chevy driver suffered major injuries and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
An investigation showed alcohol was not a factor in the crash, despite it initially being suspected, Olsen said Wednesday night.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts.
Olsen initially told The Modesto Bee he believed three people were involved in the crash, but further information showed it was only the two drivers.
Geer was closed between Hatch and Jantzen roads while investigators processed the scene, Olsen said.
This story was originally published June 23, 2021 at 3:02 PM.
