On Monday, April 12th, 2021, at approximately 1:50 pm, the California Highway Patrol received a call of an injury vehicle collision involving a Kubota utility vehicle and Ram pickup on N Washington Rd just north of W Taylor Rd. California Highway Patrol officers responded along with the Keyes Fire Protection District, Turlock Rural Fire Protection District, and American Medical Response.

American Medical Response arrived on scene first a few minutes after being dispatched and immediately pronounced the driver of the Kubota deceased. He was identified as Daniel Hernandez, 50, of Gustine.

The California Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Ram was travelling southbound on N Washington Rd approaching W Taylor Rd when he rear-ended the Kubota causing the driver to be ejected and the vehicle overturned into an adjacent orchard. Drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the collision.

The driver of the Ram, Eric Mays, 30, of Turlock, suffered minor injuries but declined medical aid. He was cooperative with officers and told them he was traveling approximately 35 miles per hour when the collision occurred.

The investigation remains on-going. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Modesto office of the California Highway Patrol at 209-545-7440.