Update: Modesto man killed in Highway 99 crash identified by Stanislaus coroner
The man killed in a Highway 99 crash Tuesday morning has been identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office as Christian Rivera, 26, of Modesto. Initial reports Tuesday said the victim was a Turlock resident.
The two-vehicle collision happened about 9:35 a.m. just north of Lander Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Its initial investigation determined Rivera was driving a 2010 Mazda sedan south on Highway 99 when it struck a 2022 Ford SUV also going south. Both vehicles were in the number 1 lane when they collided.
Rivera was traveling at “a high rate of speed” when he hit the left rear of the Ford while attempting to pass it, the CHP report read.
“The impact caused the Mazda to proceed in a southwesterly direction, crossing all lanes of traffic,” reads the report. “The Mazda entered the west shoulder where (it) overturned several times.”
Rivera was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected from the Mazda, according to the report. He was taken to Doctors Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Ford driver, a 28-year-old San Jose woman, was not injured.
It has not yet been determined if drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision.
