CHP IDs Modesto man killed, woman badly hurt in crash. Other driver arrested on DUI charge
The man killed in a nearly head-on collision east of Modesto on Sunday afternoon was identified by the California Highway Patrol as Frederick Girard, 85, of Modesto. The driver of the car in which he rode, 86-year-old Wilma Girard, suffered major injuries and was taken by helicopter to Memorial Medical Center.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash, 33-year-old Patrick James Davis of Oakdale, had consumed alcohol and was later arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI and driving on a suspended driver license, the CHP reported.
The Girards’ 2007 Toyota Camry collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup carrying Davis, 3-year-old Cannon Davis and 1-year-old Lane Davis. Patrick Davis suffered a cut to his mouth, the CHP reported, but neither child was hurt.
The crash happened about 3:50 p.m. on Bentley Road at Kemper Road.
Wilma Girard was driving south on Bentley, approaching Kemper Road. Davis was heading north and estimated his speed at 50 mph, the CHP reported.
The vehicles crashed as Wilma Girard made a left turn onto Kemper, directly into the Silverado’s path, the CHP reported.
Davis swerved to his left but was unable to avoid a collision and struck the passenger side of the Camry, the investigation determined. He lost control of the Silverado and continued northeast on Bentley until striking a chain-link fence on the east shoulder of the road. The pickup sustained major front-end damage and came to rest facing southwest.
The Camry spun in a northeasterly direction and came to rest on the right shoulder of Bentley just north of Kemper. It sustained major damage and came to rest facing southwest.
Frederick Girard was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilma Girard suffered a fractured arm and was in stable condition as of Sunday night, the investigating officer told CHP Modesto office spokesman Officer Tom Olsen.
This story was originally published November 29, 2021 at 9:56 AM.
