Fatal South County Accident

By B.J. Hansen Published Oct 7, 2011 08:23 am Updated Oct 7, 2011 08:26 am

Buck Meadows, CA — Two people were killed in a violent crash in Tuolumne County.

CHP Officer Brad Schultz reports that the accident was on Highway 120 east of Hamilton Station Loop Road at around 11:30pm on Thursday.

The driver, an unidentified 35-year-old male, lost control of the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado while going into a curve. The truck started to go sideways and collided with a raised concrete curb. The truck then traveled slightly up the hillside and hit a road sign and pine trees. Officer Schultz says it continued on and went airborne for approximately 77 feet before colliding violently with a large pine tree. Both occupants in the vehicle were pronounced dead when officials arrived on scene. The passenger is a 45-year-old male from Stockton. The residence of the driver has not yet been released by the CHP.

It is under investigation whether the use of alcohol was a contributing factor. More information is expected to be released today.