Oakdale, CA — A driver identified as 33-year-old Lawrence Foutch of Escalon lost his life in a three-vehicle collision on Highway 120 early Wednesday morning, August 14, 2024, according to The Modesto Bee.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:30 AM, just west of Meadowlark Lane in Oakdale.
First responders arrived at the scene to find three vehicles severely damaged and Foutch, who had been driving a Hyundai hatchback, gravely injured. Despite their efforts, Foutch was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel. The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office later confirmed his identity.
Preliminary investigations by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicate that Foutch was driving westbound on Highway 120 in the number two lane. Alongside him, in the number one lane, was a 2018 Ford sedan driven by a woman from Oakdale. As the two lanes began to merge into one, Foutch attempted to pass the Ford. In doing so, the rear left side of his Hyundai made contact with the right front of the Ford sedan, causing his vehicle to spin slightly in a counterclockwise direction.
Tragically, as Foutch’s car rotated, it veered directly into the path of an oncoming 2018 Nissan pickup truck traveling eastbound. The front of the Nissan, which was driven by an Oakdale man, struck the right side of Foutch’s Hyundai with significant force.
The pickup truck driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital by ground ambulance for treatment. The woman driving the Ford sedan was not injured in the collision.
The CHP continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision, seeking to understand all contributing factors. Investigators at the scene determined that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash.
Wrongful Death Claims
Establishing fault in a collision can depend on multiple factors. One crucial way a personal injury attorney can assist grieving families is by determining legal liability after the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident.
If another party is found to hold some responsibility for the death, the family may be eligible to file a Wrongful Death claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. This claim can provide compensation to help cover hospital fees, burial costs, and the loss of support for the deceased’s dependents.
Comparative Negligence
California Law upholds the concept of Comparative Negligence, which allows more than one party to share blame in a personal injury accident. Injured victims may have their compensation reduced if they are found partially to blame.
