CHP Says Modesto-Area Three-Vehicle Crash Killed One Driver and Injured Nine Others After Suspected DUI 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 say the collision involved 10 people total and may have been tied to driving under the influence.

How The Crash Unfolded

The CHP says the crash happened about 9:35 p.m. on Ladd Road just east of Tully Road, near Salida Fire Station 13 and south of Del Rio. When officers arrived, they found a green 2026 Porsche coupe engulfed in flames and blocking the roadway.

Preliminary findings indicate the Porsche was headed west at a high rate of speed when it hit the back of a black 2016 Ram pickup. The pickup lost control, left the north side of the road and rolled over before the Porsche continued into the eastbound lane and struck a white 2023 Mercedes SUV head-on.

Victims And Injuries

The Porsche driver, a 57-year-old Modesto man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 38-year-old Jon Burgess of Manteca, had major injuries and was flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

The Mercedes driver, 52-year-old Diana Ybarra of Oakdale, and her passenger, Manuel Ybarra, 53, also suffered major injuries and were taken to local hospitals. The Ram driver, Ismael Gonzalez, 27, of Manteca, had minor injuries.

Passengers Stayed Restrained

Gonzalez had five passengers in the pickup: 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 were properly restrained and either were unhurt or had only minor injuries.

The CHP also said both people in the Porsche were wearing seat belts. Social media posts said bystanders helped pull the Porsche passenger from the burning vehicle, but the agency did not include that detail in its official release.

Road Closure And Probe

Ladd Road stayed closed for about two and a half hours while officers investigated, causing delays for motorists in the area. The CHP said its preliminary on-scene investigation suggests alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Officials have not released any further findings, and the collision remains under investigation.

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