Coroner releases name of one of two killed in fiery head-on collision near Newman
The name of one of two people killed in a head-on crash north of Newman on Monday was released by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office.
Patrick Gomez, 38, was driving a Nissan Maxima south on River Road, north of Azevedo Road, around 5:22 a.m. when the driver of a northbound Ram pickup pulled into his lane to try to pass the big rig in front of her, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Nissan and the Ram crashed head on and then both hit the right side of the big rig.
Gomez, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. It was unclear whether he was residing in Newman or Modesto at the time of his death, according to authorities.
The Ram caught fire and became engulfed in flames. The driver, a 52-year-old Newman woman, died at the scene. Due to the extent of her injuries, the coroner’s office has not officially identified her.
This story was originally published February 22, 2022 at 9:52 AM.
