An early-morning solo crash off Highway 99 near Main Street in Modesto turned deadly Tuesday when a car flew off the freeway, hit a tree and burst into flames, killing the person inside.
Crews from the Modesto Fire Department were called out a little before 12:30 a.m., according to CBS Sacramento. Firefighters arrived to find a single vehicle that had left the highway and slammed into a tree, then caught fire. They knocked down the flames, but one occupant was pronounced dead at the scene, and the victim’s identity has not yet been released, the station reports.
Investigators Work Through Wreckage
The Modesto Regional Fire Authority runs a fire investigations unit that typically processes vehicle fire scenes and collects evidence for follow-up. Modesto Fire Department officials are expected to work with other agencies to piece together what led to the crash, including whether mechanical problems, road conditions or other factors played a role.
On a Corridor With a Reputation
Highway 99 has long carried a rough reputation in the Central Valley, with elevated fatal crash numbers on various stretches of the route. Reporting from local outlets such as the Ceres Courier has documented efforts by the California Highway Patrol and community leaders to boost enforcement and make engineering changes along the corridor…