One dies, two hurt in I-580 crash

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 7, 2006

TRACY -- A Modesto man was killed on northbound Interstate 580 early Wednesday when the car he was driving struck a center divide, crossed both lanes of traffic twice, and into oncoming traffic, the California Highway Patrol said.

The man, whose name was being withheld pending family notification, was driving a 1995 Buick Century about 5:20 a.m. Investigators say they are unsure how fast he was driving.

The Buick drifted into the center divide and smashed into a guard rail. The man swerved back to the right and hit a bridge rail before veering back to the left and crossing over into oncoming traffic, CHP spokesman Robert Rickman said. A Turlock man, driving a 1991 Nissan pickup, was traveling about 60 mph heading west on I-580 and collided with the right side of the Buick, which continued down the roadway and overturned, he said.

The driver of the Buick was declared dead at the scene, the CHP said.

The driver of the Nissan and his passenger, a 47-year-old Hilmar resident, were taken to Sutter Tracy Hospital with complaints of pain, investigators said.

The accident remains under investigation.