Modesto man killed when car hits light pole near Salida

A Modesto man died when his car crashed into a light pole near Salida early Tuesday.

Pedro Melo, 56, was traveling south in a 1999 Toyota on Stoddard Road about 55 to 60 mph when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle drifted to the right, said California Highway Patrol Officer Eric Parsons.

The car left the roadway and hit several roadsigns and then a metal light pole just before 7 a.m. Melo died at the scene.

The intersection is a few blocks from Gregori High School and the Modesto Culinary Institute.

The southbound lane of Stoddard was partially blocked by emergency vehicles for about 90 minutes, but traffic was not impeded, the CHP said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation but drugs and alcohol are not believed to have been factors.

This story was originally published September 2, 2014 at 9:41 AM with the headline "Modesto man killed when car hits light pole near Salida."