Modesto, CA – A fatal collision early Sunday morning, July 16, 2024, on West Hatch Road has resulted in the death of a 52-year-old man and injury of another, according to The Modesto Bee.
The Modesto Police Department reported that officers arrived at the scene on West Hatch Road, about 200 yards west of Ustick Road, to find a parked Toyota Prius that a Chevrolet Traverse had struck. The 52-year-old man inside the Prius was unresponsive and later pronounced dead. Another man, who was also in the Prius, was transported to a hospital.
The driver of the Chevrolet Traverse, identified as 37-year-old Daniel Zaragoza of Modesto, had left the scene of the crash but was located nearby. Zaragoza has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI with injuries, hit-and-run, and driving without a license.
Investigators determined that, around 5:30 AM, Zaragoza was traveling west on West Hatch Road when he collided with the parked Prius, which was positioned along the north curb line of the road. The area around the crash site is known to be near a homeless camp along the Tuolumne River. While an incident summary from the Modesto Fire Department referred to the men in the parked car as homeless, this detail has not been confirmed.
The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office is withholding the name of the deceased until his family has been notified. However, they did confirm that his last known address was in Ceres as of 2022.
Wrongful Death Claims
Whether or not a collision results in criminal charges for any of those involved, families who have lost a loved one in a fatal collision may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death claim can relieve the financial burdens created by medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of income needed to support the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies will work to reduce any claim they cannot deny. This is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney proves invaluable, negotiating on behalf of victims and their families to ensure they receive proper compensation.
