Passenger dies after SUV crashes near Modesto. Alcohol is suspected, CHP says.
A 24-year-old man died following a crash on Finney Road that authorities suspect was alcohol-related, the California Highway Patrol reported.
According to a CHP news release, a Chevrolet Suburban was going south on Finney Road, south of North Avenue near Modesto, shortly after 11 p.m. July 20. The vehicle was traveling at high speed.
The driver allowed the SUV to drift into the northbound lane, the CHP said. He overcorrected, causing the Suburban to leave the west side of the roadway and crash into a fence.
The large vehicle continued into an orchard, striking multiple trees and a guy wire, the news release said. The SUV came to rest on its left side.
Isaiah Martinez of Modesto, who was a passenger in the Suburban, suffered major injuries and died at Doctors Medical Center. The CHP said Martinez was not wearing a seat belt.
The 25-year-old driver was badly hurt and taken to Memorial Medical Center. The names of the driver and a second passenger were not immediately available Thursday.
The news release said alcohol intoxication was believed to be a factor in the crash.
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 12:11 PM.
