Stanislaus County, CA — According to The Modesto Bee, 32-year-old Modesto man Jesse Villarreal died in a head-on collision on the evening of December 26, 2024, with 33-year-old Miguel Hernandez, also of Modesto.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the crash occurred east of Waterford around 6:00 PM on Highway 132 near Rushing Road.
Villarreal was driving eastbound in a 2005 Saturn sedan when he crossed over double yellow lines in an attempt to pass other vehicles. In doing so, he collided with Hernandez, driving westbound in a 2007 Nissan pickup truck.
Hernandez sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Doctors Medical Center. His passenger, whose identity has not been released, suffered major injuries and was taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
The CHP has confirmed that Hernandez was not impaired by alcohol or drugs. Investigators are still determining whether impairment played a role in Villarreal’s actions.
Wrongful Death Claims
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Liability rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. A personal injury attorney can play a crucial role in helping victims establish legal responsibility after a traffic accident.
Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.