According to investigators, a Lodi man behind the wheel of a 2014 GMC Sierra was traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Highland 120 when the truck drifted off the south shoulder of the highway at a curve
Tuolumne County, CA – A driver was killed in a rollover accident on Highway 120 in Tuolumne County on Thursday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The deadly incident occurred between Grizzly Road and East River Road at around 4:14 p.m. January 8.
According to investigators, a Lodi man behind the wheel of a 2014 GMC Sierra was traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on Highland 120 when the truck drifted off the south shoulder of the highway at a curve. The truck overturned multiple times and came to a rest nearly 400 feet down a steep embankment.
The California Highway Patrol responded to the incident and located the wreckage. A trooper negotiated the terrain on foot to reach the vehicle and discovered that the driver was deceased.
Due to the rough terrain, emergency crews were unable to retrieve the vehicle until 11 a.m. the following day.
The identity of the deceased driver was withheld pending notification of the next-of-kin.
At the time of the report, it was undetermined whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Tuolumne County is one of the smallest counties with a relatively low population and less traffic compared to other counties in California. Despite this, injuries and deaths are still being recorded each year in the county. Data from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) shows that Tuolumne County reported a total of 433 people killed or injured in traffic-related crashes in 2023, earning an OTS ranking of 4 out of 58 counties. This marked a slight decrease from 2022, when the county recorded 463 crash victims and ranked 19th statewide. A comprehensive five-year analysis revealed that the county’s traffic fatality rate per 100,000 residents was lower than the national average. Additional OTS data highlights ongoing risks involving alcohol-impaired driving and speeding. In 2023 alone, Tuolumne County recorded 88 victims in alcohol-related crashes while 54 were involved in speed-related collisions. Highways 108, 49, and 120 have been identified the most risky roadways in Tuolumne County due the number of collisions occurring in these areas yearly.
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