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Sonora, CA — A 55-year-old man from Modesto died in a crash on Highway 108/120 on Saturday evening, east of J-59.
The CHP reports he was driving a 1995 Mazda 626 eastbound and crossed over the double yellow lines into the path of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by 37-year-old Billy Thao of Sacramento. The Tacoma overturned and the Modesto man’s car then hit a second vehicle, a Toyota Rav 4 driven by 29-year-old Muruganandham Arulandham of Sunnyvale.
The Modesto man was pronounced dead at the scene by arriving first responders. Thao, and his lone passenger, 43-year-old Brad Thao of Sacramento, suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Adventist Health Sonora. Arulandham, and his lone passenger, 24-year-old Cindhu Elamuatzhuthz, also sustained moderate injuries and they were both taken by ambulance to Adventist Health Sonora. The crash occurred at 6:06pm and traffic on Highway 108/120 was blocked for an extended period.
The CHP reports that alcohol and/or drugs may have been a factor in the crash. Any witnesses to the crash are asked to call 209-984-3944.
Written by BJ Hansen.
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