According to the CHP, a man was riding a bicycle eastbound on the north shoulder of the highway when, for unknown reasons, he moved into the westbound side and was struck by an oncoming gray 2007 Ford F-250 pickup
Oakdale, CA – A 63-year-old Oakdale man was killed in a vehicle vs bicycle collision that happened on State Route 120 in Oakdale on Friday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The incident was reported at around 6:20 p.m. January 9, on SR 120 east of 26-Mile Road.
According to the CHP, a man was riding a bicycle eastbound on the north shoulder of the highway when, for unknown reasons, he moved into the westbound side and was struck by an oncoming gray 2007 Ford F-250 pickup.
The Stanislaus Fire Department and emergency medical services responded to the scene shortly after and determined that the rider had sustained fatal injuries.
The rider was rushed to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, where he was declared deceased. The Stanislaus County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 63-year-old Wayne Townsend of Oakdale.
The man driving the pickup truck was unhurt in the incident. Authorities said the driver was not suspected to have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The accident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Oakdale, a city in Stanislaus County, has a notable history of traffic collisions that result in injuries and fatalities. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Oakdale reported around 69 fatal and injury crashes in 2023, with alcohol involved in 20 of those collisions and 19 speed-related crashes, reflecting ongoing safety challenges on local roads.
Nighttime collisions and those involving pedestrians or bicyclists highly contributed to these totals. Additionally, data shows that many injury crashes occur on major routes like Highway 120 and local intersections.
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After a fatal car accident, families may face overwhelming losses, including funeral costs, lost income, medical bills, and the loss of companionship. These damages can be recovered from the at fault party's insurance to help alleviate the impact of the loss to the family of the deceased. To learn more about the legal options you have, visit our wrongful death attorney page.