Man dies after truck hits him as he crossed downtown Modesto street in wheelchair
A man died after he was hit by a pickup while crossing a downtown Modesto street in a wheelchair Wednesday night, police said.
The collision occurred around 10 p.m. on B Street south of Beard Street, said Modesto Police spokeswoman Sharon Bear. The man was crossing B, outside of a crosswalk, when he was hit by an eastbound Dodge Dakota driven by a 27-year-old Modesto man.
Bear said the driver of the Dodge stopped at the scene and drugs and/or alcohol do not appear to be factors.
The man in the wheelchair was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not yet been released, pending notification of his family.
Bear said there have been seven fatal collisions so far this year involving pedestrians, compared to five during the same time period last year.
The Department is responding with plans to increase enforcement and education related to pedestrian safety and by giving out reflective vests.
Anyone who would like a vest can get one at the Modesto Police Department at 600 Tenth St. Bear said the department plans to get more vests with grant money from the California Office of Traffic Safety and give them to patrol officers to hand to pedestrians they encounter.
Anyone with information regarding the collision can contact Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
This story was originally published July 22, 2021 at 8:50 AM.
