Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI & manslaughter after fatal Stanislaus County crash
.png)
A head-on collision on Highway 120 west of Pioneer Avenue claimed the life of a 64-year-old Oakdale man and left another man badly injured late Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash, north of Riverbank, occurred around 11:52 a.m. as Nicholas Anthony Martinez, 34, of Coulterville, was driving a 2007 GMC pickup east on SR-120, also known there as Lon Dale Road.
The preliminary investigation by the CHP indicates Martinez veered into the westbound lane, directly into the path of a 2014 Chevrolet pickup driven by Simon Gutierrez Castaneda.
The vehicles collided head-on, coming to rest on the north shoulder of the road. Emergency personnel arrived shortly before noon and found both vehicles with significant damage. Crews provided patient care.
Due to weather conditions, an air ambulance could not be used. All injured parties were taken by ground ambulance to local hospitals. Gutierrez Castaneda was taken to Doctors Medical Center, where he later died.
A passenger in the Chevrolet, Eddie Cortes, 54, of Palmdale, suffered major injuries and was taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
Martinez was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter. Following a medical evaluation, he was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center.
SR-120 was temporarily closed to traffic while authorities investigated the scene. A detour was established to minimize delays for drivers.
The CHP continues to investigate the crash.
