A Modesto man died Saturday night in a crash on Highway 108/120 east of Knights Ferry in Tuolumne County, according to the California Highway Patrol. The 33-year-old was driving a Honda Civic west on 108/120, east of Tulloch Road, at an unknown speed, when the crash occurred around 10 p.m. “The driver failed to safely negotiate a right-hand curve in the roadway and lost control of his vehicle,” according to the CHP.
The Honda traveled out of control across both lanes and struck an asphalt curb on the north side of the roadway. The Honda became airborne and overturned multiple times at least 75 feet down an embankment, said CHP Officer Steve Machado. The Honda came to rest on its right side in a field fenced for animals, Machado said. The CHP did not become aware of the crash until 7:44 a.m. Sunday when employees found the Honda in the field. According to the Modesto Fire Department, which responded to the scene, the man was dead when they arrived.
During their investigation, officers talked with a nearby resident who heard the crash around 10 p.m. but did not report it at the time. The driver was wearing a seat belt, Machado said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Machado said the identity of the driver will be released after the Tuolumne County Coroner’s Office confirms his family has been notified.