CHP official said the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Highway 120, just west of Meadowlark Lane. Reportedly, responding crews located three damaged vehicles at the scene
Oakdale, CA – A 33-year-old Escalon man was killed and another person was injured following a three-vehicle collision on Highway 120 in Oakdale Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP official said the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on Highway 120, just west of Meadowlark Lane. Reportedly, responding crews located three damaged vehicles at the scene.
One person, identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner's Office as Lawrence Foutch, 33, of Escalon, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a Hyundai hatchback, driven by Foutch, was westbound on Highway 120 in the number two lane while a 2018 Ford sedan, operated by an Oakdale woman, was traveling in the same direction in the number one lane, just to the left of the Hyundai. An Oakdale man was driving a 2018 Nissan pickup truck eastbound on Highway 120.
CHP said Foutch tried to pass the Ford sedan as the two westbound lanes merged into one, and as a result, the left the right front of the Ford sedan struck the rear of Foutch's Hyundai.
The impact, according to the CHP, caused the Hyundai to slightly rotate in a counterclockwise manner. As the car rotated, it drove directly into the path of the eastbound Nissan, and the two vehicles collided.
The driver of the Nissan sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital. The Ford driver was not hurt in the incident, as per the CHP.
CHP official said drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in the accident, adding that all drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
An investigation into the incident is underway.