Semi crashes into car in front of Newman home; driver badly burned

The driver of a semi truck cab has been airlifted for treatment of major burns after crashing into a car in the driveway of a Newman house Friday morning, the city’s Police Department reported.

Police Chief Randy Richardson said the driver, whose name is not being released, is believed to have hit the car intentionally. The car in turn was pushed through the garage door of the house on the 1300 block of T Street.

Emergency crews responding to a report of a vehicle fire shortly after 11 a.m. found the semi cab in the driveway, engulfed in flames. It was not pulling a trailer. The driver was outside the cab, police said.

Richardson said Friday afternoon that investigators are not sure whether the fire resulted from the crash or was started another way. Firefighters were able to keep the flames from spreading to the house, but it did sustain some smoke damage, Richardson said.

“We’re unsure of the motive,” the chief said. It may be a domestic issue, he said, but the driver does not live at the house. The driver does not appear to be a Newman resident, Richardson said. “We (the Police Department) had no contact with him prior.”

No one was injured in the crash or fire other than the driver, who is in critical condition, Richardson said.

Police were interviewing witnesses and gathering information at the scene. “We’re getting the scene wrapped up right now,” the chief said about 3:30 p.m. Friday, “so we’re really just getting into the investigation.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Officer Eric Watts at 209-862-2902 or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.

Tipsters can email tips at www.modestopolice.com/crimestoppers or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing “tip704” plus the message. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Semi crashes into car in front of Newman home; driver badly burned."