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UPDATE: Driver that died at scene of Saturday afternoon crash in Riverbank identified

The driver of this white Chevrolet died at the scene of a crash in Riverbank, California, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, after apparently suffering a medical emergency.
The driver of this white Chevrolet died at the scene of a crash in Riverbank, California, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, after apparently suffering a medical emergency. Modesto Fire Department

A driver was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash Saturday afternoon in the area of Patterson Road/Highway 108 near Jackson Avenue in Riverbank, according to the Modesto Fire Department and Riverbank Police Services.

The man was identified as 66-year-old Escalon resident John Peterson.

The preliminary finding of the Sheriff’s Office’s Major Accident Investigation Team is that Peterson had a medical emergency while driving, according to a Facebook post by Riverbank police.

Fire and medical personnel found Peterson unresponsive, according to a Modesto Fire incident summary, and after about 25 minutes of lifesaving efforts, he was declared dead. It was not reported whether the crash or the medical emergency is believed to be the cause of death.

The crash was about 3:45 p.m. Riverbank police reported that the street was closed for several hours while investigators worked to process the scene and clear the roadway.

Witnesses to the crash are urged to call Riverbank Police Services at 209-869-7162.

This story was originally published August 18, 2024 at 9:25 AM.

Deke Farrow
The Modesto Bee
Deke has been an editor and reporter with The Modesto Bee since 1995. He currently does breaking-news, education and human-interest reporting. A Beyer High grad, he studied geology and journalism at UC Davis and CSU Sacramento.
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