CHP Says Modesto Area Crash Leaves One Dead and Three Badly Hurt After Fiery Three-Vehicle Collision on Ladd Road

MODESTO, CA — One person was killed and three others suffered major injuries in a fiery three-vehicle crash on Ladd Road north of Modesto on Saturday night, according to the California Highway Patrol. Investigators said six other people were either unharmed or had minor injuries in the wreck, which they believe may have involved alcohol.

The collision happened about 9:35 p.m. near Ladd and Tully roads, close to Salida Fire Station 13 and south of Del Rio. CHP said the crash blocked the roadway and kept it closed for about two and a half hours.

Fiery scene on Ladd

When responders arrived, they found a green 2026 Porsche coupe fully engulfed in flames and stopped in the roadway, the CHP said. The driver, a 57-year-old Modesto man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His passenger, 38-year-old Manteca resident Jon Burgess, was seriously hurt and flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. CHP said both people in the Porsche were wearing seat belts.

Pickup and SUV occupants

The driver of a black 2016 Ram pickup, Ismael Gonzalez, 27, of Manteca, suffered minor injuries. Five passengers were in the truck: a 14-year-old girl, a 42-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl, a 26-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl.

CHP said all of the pickup occupants were properly restrained and were either uninjured or had minor injuries. The driver and passenger in a white 2023 Mercedes SUV, Diana Ybarra, 52, and Manuel Ybarra, 53, both of Oakdale, suffered major injuries and were taken to local hospitals.

How investigators say it unfolded

According to the CHP’s preliminary findings, the Porsche was traveling west on Ladd at high speed when it rear-ended the Ram. The pickup then went off the north side of the road and overturned.

Investigators said the Porsche continued southwest into the eastbound lane and hit the Mercedes head-on before catching fire. Social media accounts also said passers-by helped get the Porsche passenger out of the car.

Alcohol under investigation

CHP said its on-scene investigation suggests alcohol may have been a factor in the crash. The agency has not released any additional details about possible charges or the condition of the injured victims beyond what was shared in the initial report.

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