2 passengers dead, driver gone from crash on Highway 132 west of Modesto, CHP reports
Two adult male passengers were killed in a crash early Sunday on Highway 132 west of Modesto. The driver fled the scene and was not found during a search.
According to a news release from the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred about 2:30 a.m. just east of the San Joaquin River. In a detail on the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page online, the passing motorist who called in the report said a man estimated to be in his 20s and wearing a dark hoodie and jeans got out of the involved pickup and ran.
Responding officers found two men in the pickup, a 23-year-old Hayward resident and a 36-year-old San Jose resident. Neither was wearing a seat belt, and both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation shows the 2011 GMC was westbound on 132/Maze and went off the north edge of the road, hitting “a series of trees” before coming to rest.
CHP Modesto office spokesman Officer Tom Olsen confirmed to The Bee that a witness saw a man in dark clothing at the scene. “He was not there when we arrived,” Olsen said in a text message. “... The area was searched with the help of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office but we were unable to locate anyone.”
It’s possible the driver later got a ride with a passing motorist, the CHP release said.
Highway 132 was shut down for a few hours between River and Gates roads.
It had not been determined Sunday whether drugs or alcohol factored in the crash.
An update late morning on the CHP incident page said a witness called to report there are fingerprints on his vehicle from the man who fled the crash.
Anyone with information on the crash or the missing driver is asked to call CHP Officers Norseen or Mitchell at 209-545-7440.
Anonymous tips may be left with Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 or at www.stancrimetips.org.
This story was originally published February 6, 2022 at 8:30 AM.
