Man using wheelchair struck, killed while trying to cross Modesto street in a crosswalk
A man using a wheelchair died after being struck by a vehicle at Yosemite Boulevard and Santa Ana Avenue on Tuesday morning just after 6 a.m.
A preliminary investigation by the Modesto Police Department showed that a truck going east on Yosemite struck the man as he was crossing the road in a marked crosswalk. Dawn was shortly before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The driver of the truck remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to the MPD. The man was taken to a local hospital, but died there as a result of his injuries. The identity of the man killed had not been released as of Wednesday morning.
The investigation is still in its early stages. Lt. Kailani Souza said investigators are working to determine if there was negligence involved in the “horrible accident.”
Souza said that if an arrest was made at the scene, the investigation would need to wrap up within 48 hours in order to arraign a suspect. However, the investigation can be extended if there’s no immediate arrest. Souza said if an arrest is made, MPD wants “to put together the best possible package” for the District Attorney’s Office.
A driver who strikes and kills a pedestrian in a marked sidewalk could be charged with vehicular manslaughter with either ordinary negligence or gross negligence — the former being a misdemeanor, the latter being a felony.
MPD asks that anyone with information or who witnessed the collision contact Traffic Safety Officer Justin Beverson at BeversonJ@modestopd.com.
This story was originally published November 27, 2024 at 8:52 AM.
