Second Person Dies After Fiery Multi-Vehicle Crash on Ladd Road in Stanislaus County Leaves Children and Adults Injured

MODESTO, CA — Two men are dead and eight people were hurt after a three-vehicle crash on Ladd Road east of Tully Road in Stanislaus County, according to the California Highway Patrol. The wreck happened Saturday night near the Del Rio area and briefly shut down the roadway.

How the crash unfolded

CHP said a 2026 Porsche coupe was heading west at a high rate of speed when it approached the rear of a 2016 Ram pickup traveling the same direction. The Porsche hit the truck, sending it off the road and overturning it before the sports car crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a Mercedes SUV head-on.

After the second collision, the Porsche caught fire and blocked the road, leading to hours of closures while crews responded.

Victims and injuries

The Porsche driver, a 57-year-old Modesto man, died at the scene. His passenger, 38-year-old Jon Burgess of Manteca, suffered major injuries and later died at UC Davis Medical Center the next day, CHP said.

CHP said both people in the Porsche were wearing seat belts. The Mercedes driver and passenger also had major injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Children were among riders

There were six people inside the Ram pickup, including two teenagers and a 2-year-old girl. CHP said the 27-year-old Manteca man driving the truck had minor injuries, while the five passengers had either no injuries or minor injuries.

Those passengers included girls ages 14, 16 and 2, along with two women ages 42 and 26, according to investigators.

Possible alcohol factor

CHP said it believes alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. Modesto Fire crews treated eight patients at the scene, and one was flown to a nearby trauma center while six others were taken to local hospitals for further care.

Investigators have not released additional details about what led up to the collision.

TNSO covers California, Nevada, and Arizona as the story unfolds.