Hughson man killed when SUV goes off Highway 99 near Turlock, rolls over

A 54-year-old man from Hughson died Friday morning when his car went off Highway 99 in Turlock and rolled over several times, authorities said.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Chevrolet sports utility vehicle south on the highway in the right lane at about 6:20 a.m. when the car drifted into the center lane. The driver apparently turned sharply to the right, sending the SUV over the shoulder of the road.

“The Chevrolet proceeded off the west road edge of the freeway and overturned several times,” a news release reads. “The driver was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and was ejected from the SUV.”

The car came to rest on its wheels west of the west road edge of the Fulkerth Road onramp. Responding officers arrived to the scene to find the man underneath the SUV.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released the man’s name.

Investigators do not yet know whether drugs or alcohol contributed to the accident.

In the news release, authorities said, “The CHP would like to remind all motorists seatbelts, when worn properly, have the ability to save your life when involved in a traffic collision.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 10:40 AM.