Update: Two dead in fiery head-on vehicle collision west of Turlock, CHP reports
Two drivers were killed in a head-on vehicle collision early Monday morning west of Turlock.
The California Highway Patrol was alerted to the crash at West Main Street and South Carpenter Road at 5:43 a.m., according to a report from Officer Tom Olsen.
Emergency personnel who arrived at the scene pronounced both drivers dead. Both vehicles sustained major damage.
No passengers were involved in the collision, the report states.
The preliminary investigation indicates one driver was westbound in a Subaru SUV on West Main Street, west of Carpenter Road. The second driver, a 45-year-old Patterson man in a Honda sedan, was heading east on West Main Street, approaching Carpenter.
Entering the eastbound lane to pass traffic, the Subaru driver struck the Honda head-on, according to report. The impact of the crash caused the Subaru to overturn. It came to rest right side up, on the south edge of the road, and became engulfed in flames, the CHP said.
According to the news release, the male driver had not been positively identified.
The Honda came to rest in the eastbound traffic lane. The name of its driver has been withheld pending notification of family.
Reports show both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Officials don’t yet know if drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision.
The CHP temporarily closed West Main Street between Carpenter Road and Jennings Road following the crash.
To help fund The Bee’s economic development reporter with Report for America, go to https://bit.ly/ModestoBeeRFAThis story was produced with financial support from the Stanislaus Community Foundation, along with the GroundTruth Project’s Report for America initiative. The Modesto Bee maintains full editorial control of this work.
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 8:46 AM.
