Driver killed after crashing into tree identified as 19-year-old from Turlock
The driver killed Tuesday when he crashed into a tree off northbound Highway 99 in Turlock has been identified as 19-year-old Carson Souza, according to the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office.
California Highway Patrol officers had received a call at about 12:23 a.m. reporting a crash just north of West Main Street.
When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, they found a Chevrolet SUV fully engulfed in fire.
Preliminary findings showed that Souza, a Turlock resident, had been traveling north in the No. 1 lane when the vehicle veered to the right, left the roadway and struck a tree. The impact caused the SUV to catch fire, which crews quickly extinguished.
Souza, the sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.
It is not yet known whether Souza was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash or if drugs or alcohol were factors.
