A 57-year-old Modesto man was killed, and three other people suffered major injuries after a fiery crash, Saturday night, when a high-speed, suspected DUI crash involving three vehicles erupted into flames on Ladd Road north of Modesto, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:35 p.m. on Ladd Road just east of Tully Road, near Salida Fire Station 13 and south of Del Rio. Six additional occupants involved in the collision were either uninjured or suffered only minor injuries.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to the CHP’s preliminary investigation, a green 2026 Porsche coupe was traveling westbound on Ladd Road at a high rate of speed when it rear-ended a black 2016 Ram pickup truck traveling in the same direction. The impact caused the Ram driver to lose control, sending the pickup off the north side of the road, where it overturned.
The Porsche continued southwest after the initial impact, crossing into the eastbound lane, where it struck a white 2023 Mercedes SUV head-on. Shortly after the collision, the Porsche caught fire.
When emergency responders arrived on scene, they found the Porsche engulfed in flames and blocking the roadway. According to accounts shared on social media, bystanders pulled the Porsche’s passenger from the burning vehicle before first responders arrived. The CHP has indicated the crash is believed to be related to driving under the influence.
Victims of the Crash
The driver of the Porsche, a 57-year-old Modesto man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a 38-year-old man of Manteca, suffered major injuries and was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Both men were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Ram pickup, a 27-year-old Manteca man, suffered only minor injuries. He had five passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash: 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. All five passengers were properly restrained and were either uninjured or sustained minor injuries.
The driver of the Mercedes SUV, a 52-year-old Oakdale woman, suffered major injuries, as did her passenger, a 53-year-old Oakdale man. Both were wearing their seatbelts and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
This crash illustrates a sobering reality of high-speed, multi-vehicle collisions: the severity of injuries often has little to do with how cautious or attentive an occupant was, and everything to do with the force of impact and the actions of the driver responsible.
Every injured occupant in the Ram pickup and Mercedes SUV was properly restrained, yet outcomes still ranged from minor injuries to life-threatening trauma. This underscores why fault, not fortune, determines who bears financial responsibility for the harm caused.
For the families of the Oakdale couple facing major injuries, and for Jon Burgess as he recovers from his own life-threatening injuries, the road ahead may include extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and an uncertain recovery timeline, all of which carry high financial and emotional costs that a responsible party should be held accountable for.
Understanding Liability in DUI-Related Crashes
When a crash is caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs, California law allows injured victims and surviving family members to pursue compensation well beyond what a typical negligence claim would provide. Under California Civil Code §1714, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles with reasonable care, and driving while impaired is widely recognized as a clear breach of that duty.
In cases involving particularly reckless or intoxicated driving, victims may also be entitled to pursue punitive damages under California Civil Code §3294. Punitive damages are intended not just to compensate the victim, but to punish the at-fault driver for conduct that demonstrates a conscious disregard for the safety of others, and to deter similar conduct in the future.
For the family of the man killed in this crash, California’s wrongful death statute, found in California Code of Civil Procedure §377.60, allows surviving spouses, children, and other qualifying family members to seek compensation for the loss of financial support, companionship, and other damages resulting from their loved one’s death.
A related provision, CCP §377.30, allows a deceased victim’s estate to pursue a survival action for damages the victim could have claimed had they lived, such as pain and suffering experienced between the time of the crash and their passing.
Claims arising from this type of collision must generally be filed within two years under the statute of limitations set forth in CCP §335.1, though this deadline can shift depending on the specific facts of the case, including whether a government entity is involved in the roadway design or maintenance.
What to Do If You Were Involved in This Crash
If you or a family member were involved in this collision, the steps you take in the days and weeks ahead can significantly affect your ability to recover full compensation. Seek prompt medical attention even if your injuries seem minor at first, as some injuries, particularly internal trauma or soft tissue damage, may not present symptoms immediately. Keep thorough records of all medical treatment, missed work, and any other expenses related to the crash.
Be cautious about speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney. Insurance companies, including your own, may attempt to obtain a recorded statement or quick settlement offer that does not reflect the true value of your claim, particularly before the full extent of your injuries is known.
It is also important to be mindful of what you share publicly after a crash like this. With witness accounts of this incident already circulating on social media, anything you post, even a brief update to family and friends, can potentially be obtained and used by insurance companies to dispute the severity of your injuries or shift blame.
Avoid posting about the crash, your injuries, or your recovery on any social media platform, and consider asking friends and family not to tag you in posts related to the incident. Insurance adjusters routinely review public profiles looking for statements or photos that can be taken out of context to minimize a claim’s value, so the safest course of action is to limit your public-facing commentary entirely until you have spoken with an attorney.
Estimating the Value of Your Claim
Every case is different, and the value of a personal injury or wrongful death claim depends on a wide range of factors, including the severity of injuries, medical costs, lost income, and the impact on quality of life. Two methods commonly used as starting points for evaluating non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, are the multiplier method and the per diem method.
The multiplier method involves adding up a victim’s total economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, then multiplying that figure by a number, typically between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the injury, to estimate non-economic damages. More catastrophic injuries, including those resulting in permanent disability or death, generally justify a higher multiplier.
The per diem method instead assigns a specific dollar amount for each day the victim experiences pain and suffering, from the date of the crash through the end of their recovery period or, in some cases, their expected lifespan. This daily rate is multiplied by the number of affected days to arrive at an estimated value.
It is important to understand that these methods provide only a rough starting point. They cannot account for the unique circumstances of your case, such as whether the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, whether liability is contested, or whether your injuries will require lifelong care. An experienced attorney can review the specific facts of your case to provide a far more accurate picture of what your claim may be worth.
Using a Fatal Accident Settlement Calculator to Estimate Claim Value
While no online tool can replace a thorough case evaluation by an experienced attorney, a fatal accident settlement calculator can give grieving families a helpful starting point for understanding what their wrongful death claim may be worth.
These calculators typically combine economic damages, such as funeral and burial expenses, the deceased’s lost future income and benefits, and medical costs incurred before death, with an estimate of non-economic damages, such as loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support, often calculated using the multiplier method described above.
By entering details such as the victim’s age, income, life expectancy, and the number of surviving dependents, families can generate a preliminary range that reflects both the tangible financial losses and the profound personal loss.
However, a calculator cannot account for case-specific factors that often significantly affect the final settlement, including whether the at-fault driver was intoxicated, whether punitive damages may apply, or whether multiple insurance policies are available to cover the loss.
Because of this, families are encouraged to treat any calculator estimate as a rough baseline rather than a final answer, and to consult with a wrongful death attorney who can apply the specific facts of the case to provide a far more accurate and complete valuation. Call us now at +1-866-218-3776 to speak with the experts.
Taking the First Step Toward Justice
“When a night out turns into tragedy because someone made the choice to drive impaired, the families left behind are forced to carry a burden they never should have had to bear. I have spent more than 40 years representing Californians whose lives were upended by another driver’s reckless decisions, and I have seen firsthand how devastating these crashes are, not just for the person who was killed but for everyone who survived and will carry the physical and emotional scars of that night forward. If you or someone you love was hurt in this crash, please do not try to navigate the insurance claims process alone. Insurance companies move quickly to protect their bottom line, and you deserve someone who will fight just as hard to protect your future. Call us, there is no fee unless we win your case.” — Andy Gillin, Managing Partner, GJEL Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one was injured in this crash, or you have lost a family member, GJEL Accident Attorneys is here to help. With more than 40 years of experience and over $950 million recovered for our clients, we understand what it takes to hold negligent and impaired drivers accountable. Our consultations are free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win your case.
Compassionate GJEL accident attorneys are always available to discuss your case, and you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. Let our experienced legal team shoulder the legal burden while you focus on what matters most – your family’s healing and recovery. Contact us today at +1-866-218-3776 or visit our Hayward office.
Local Resources for Those Affected by This Crash
California Highway Patrol, Modesto Area Office
1300 Kansas Avenue, Modesto, CA 95351
Phone: (209) 545-3322
Website: https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office/central-division/offices/(444)-modesto
The Modesto CHP office is handling the investigation into this crash. Contact them to request a copy of the official collision report or to provide additional information related to the incident.
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Coroner Division
250 East Hackett Road, Modesto, CA 95358
Phone: (209) 525-7050
Website: https://www.stanislauscountysheriff.com/coroner
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Coroner Division handles death investigations and can assist families in obtaining information related to a loved one’s passing.
Emanuel Medical Center
825 Delbon Avenue, Turlock, CA 95382
Phone: (209) 667-4200
Website: https://www.emanuelmedicalcenter.org
Emanuel Medical Center is among the closest hospital facilities serving the Modesto and Turlock areas for trauma and emergency care.
UC Davis Medical Center
2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: (916) 734-2011
Website: https://health.ucdavis.edu
UC Davis Medical Center is a Level I trauma center that treats the most severely injured patients from across Northern California, including those airlifted from serious collisions like this one.
Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board
PO Box 968, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (800) 777-9229
Website: https://victims.ca.gov
This state agency provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime and certain qualifying incidents, including reimbursement for medical expenses, mental health services, and funeral costs.
