Driver of stolen car badly hurt in crash while fleeing Modesto police Wednesday night

The driver of a car reported stolen suffered major injuries while fleeing an attempted traffic stop, Modesto police reported Thursday.

About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, patrol officers spotted a car that had been reported stolen to the California Highway Patrol earlier in the day.

The officers tried to stop the car on Scenic Drive near McGuire Drive, a bit east of Oakdale Road. The driver, identified by police only as an adult male, pulled over but then sped off before an officer reached him.

Officers pursued the car east on Scenic Drive toward Claus Road and then south on Claus. As the fleeing driver approached a bend south of Creekwood Drive, he lost control and stuck a tree on the west side of Claus. The impact tore the car in two, police said.

The driver, who was alone, suffered major injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. His name is not being released by police at this time.

There were no other occupants in the vehicle and no other vehicles were involved.

This story was originally published March 24, 2022 at 2:41 PM.