Two killed in Ceres head-on crash. Police say driver crossed double yellow lines
Two people were killed and one seriously injured in a traffic collision in Ceres on Tuesday night, according to the city’s Police Department.
Officers from CPD and the Modesto Fire Department responded to the intersection of Hatch Road and Boothe Road at about 8:20 p.m. They found three people unresponsive and trapped inside vehicles.
A Chrysler 300 and a Toyota Prius collided head-on. The passenger of the Toyota was immediately given lifesaving measures after being extricated from the car, but he was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Leroy Don Smith, 89, of Castro Valley.
The driver of the Chrysler also was extricated from the vehicle. He was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. He was identified as Youkhana Atrmiz, 36, of Ceres.
The driver of the Toyota, a 64-year-old Castro Valley woman, suffered major injuries. Polie sais she was reported as being in “serious, but stable condition” at a hospital.
The Ceres Police Traffic Unit Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating. Initial findings showed that Atrmiz was traveling east on Hatch Road when he crossed over the double yellow lines and struck the Toyota head-on. Atrmiz was not wearing a seat belt, according to CPD.
As of Wednesday, it had not been determined if drugs, alcohol or high speed factored in the collision.
Hatch and Boothe roads were closed for several hours as MAIT conducted its investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is encouraged to call Officer Aaron Pinon at 209-538-5678.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 2:31 PM.
