Modesto, CA (June 26, 2026) – A 57-year-old man died and seven other people were hurt Friday night in a three-vehicle crash on Ladd Road east of Tully Road near Modesto, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP said the crash happened around 9:36 p.m. Officers arriving at the scene found three vehicles involved, including a Porsche that was engulfed in flames and blocking the roadway.
According to CHP, the Porsche was traveling westbound on Ladd Road at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a Ram pickup that was also headed westbound. The impact sent the pickup out of control; it left the roadway to the north and overturned, CHP said.
The Porsche then continued into the eastbound lane, where it collided head-on with a Mercedes SUV. Shortly after, the Porsche became engulfed in flames, CHP said.
The Porsche’s driver, a 57-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 38-year-old Jon Burgess, suffered major injuries and was flown to UC Davis Medical Center, according to CHP.
CHP identified the Ram’s driver as 27-year-old Ismael Gonzalez. Five passengers were also inside 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 everyone in the Ram was properly restrained and suffered either minor or no injuries.
The Mercedes’ driver, 52-year-old Diana Ybarra, and her passenger, 53-year-old Manuel Ybarra, both suffered major injuries and were transported to local hospitals, according to CHP.
The roadway remained closed for about two and a half hours while officers investigated. CHP said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The investigation is ongoing.
A crash like this leaves more than vehicle damage behind. It leaves families shaken, uncertain, and replaying a night they never saw coming. Anyone hurt in this collision deserves clear answers about what happens next, without having to face an insurance company alone.
Fatal Car Accidents in Modesto, California
CHP has not yet released test results, but a suspected impaired driver carries specific legal consequences for everyone else affected that night.
Can the surviving passengers and drivers still pursue a claim? Yes. Occupants who were not driving the at-fault vehicle were not responsible for this crash. Under California’s pure comparative fault rule, an injured person can recover compensation in proportion to fault, even when the suspected at-fault driver has died.
Does a suspected DUI change the timeline? A criminal investigation into impairment runs on its own track and does not have to conclude before a civil injury claim can move forward. Waiting too long can mean losing access to evidence that disappears quickly: skid marks, surveillance footage, and even memories.
What should happen next?
- See a doctor right away, even if injuries seem minor at first
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
- Preserve medical records, vehicle damage photos, and any dashcam or surveillance footage from the area
- Do not accept a settlement offer before understanding the full cost of your injuries
What is the filing deadline? Personal injury claims in California generally must be filed within two years of the date of the crash (CCP § 335.1). That deadline applies to every injured person from this collision, not only one party.
Contact Our Modesto Car Accident Lawyers
At J.G. Winter Law, we understand what a sudden, violent crash does to a family. Our car accident lawyers in Modesto, CA handle car accident and drunk driving injury claims across the Central Valley, including Modesto, Stockton, and Turlock, from our local Stockton office.
We handle these cases on a 100% contingency fee basis – no upfront cost, and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
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Call (844) 517-0586 to get your free consultation.
