Innocent bystander struck by stray bullet during large fight in Modesto

An innocent bystander driving home with his wife was truck in the head by a stray bullet while driving past the scene of a large fight Thursday night.

The couple was driving in the area of Celeste Drive and Rose Avenue at about 8 p.m. when they came upon the fight involving 10 to 15 people, said Modesto Police Department Sgt. Eric Schuller.

At least one person fired a gun and one of the bullets went through the couple’s windshield, striking the victim in the head.

When police arrived at the scene everyone had scattered but they found seven shell casings in the street, Schuller said.

Shortly after that officers were alerted that the victim’s wife had driven him to a local hospital.

Schuller did not know if the victim was still in the hospital Friday or what his condition was but said he was alert and talking when officers interviewed him Thursday night.