Turlock man dies in Highway 99 crash

A Turlock man died early Wednesday when the car in which he was riding lost control on Highway 99 and overturned.

Kathryn Esquivel, 37, was driving a 2000 BMW in the slow lane of southbound Highway 99 about 3 a.m. when she lost control north of Fulkerth Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer John Martinez.

The BMW swerved left across all the traffic lanes, hit the center divide, then bounced back across the freeway and overturned on the right shoulder.

The right front passenger, 38-year-old Raul Esquivel Jr., was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene from his injuries.

Kathryn Esquivel suffered minor injuries, and the back seat passenger, 38-year-old Javier Esquivel, suffered moderate injuries, Martinez said. Both also are from Turlock.

Martinez said officers are investigating whether drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash.

This story was originally published March 18, 2015 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Turlock man dies in Highway 99 crash."