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CHP: Road rage leads to Highway 12 crash
Passenger receives major head injuries
An apparent case of road rage and high speed left a man with life-threatening injuries after a Friday afternoon crash on Highway 12 east of Tower Park Marina.
The crash caused traffic to grind to a halt until the highway could be cleared at around 5:21 p.m.
At 4:19 p.m., Ceres resident Ismael Gutierrez Gonzalez, 26, was driving a Honda Civic east on the two-lane road at about 75-80 mph, said California Highway Patrol Officer Adrian Quintero.
The 1997 Civic began driving on the shoulder to pass another car, and witnesses told investigators that a passenger was leaning out a window and making hand gestures at the other car, Quintero said.
Gutierrez Gonzalez lost control on the shoulder, overcorrected and came to rest facing south in the westbound lane.
An oncoming 1999 Ford Econoline van was driving west around 50 mph when it reached the Honda. The driver, Pablo Soria, 26, of Winters, braked but couldn't avoid hitting the rear part of the Honda, Quintero said.
The Honda's rear passenger, Carlos Garcia, 31, of Modesto, received major head injuries and was taken by ambulance to San Joaquin General Hospital. Investigators do not believe he was wearing a seat belt, partly due to the witnesses who said Garcia was leaning out the window, Quintero said.
The van's driver was not injured. His passenger, Jaime Soria, 19, also of Winters, had complaints of pain.
Ismael Gutierrez Gonzalez, the Honda's driver, had complaints of pain, as did his front passenger, 31-year-old Hugo Gutierrez, of Modesto.
The crash came one day after a San Joaquin County jury reached a verdict in a case involving a head-on collision not far from the same spot.
In that case, the jury voted 11-1 that the California Department of Transportation was not responsible for the condition of the road. An attorney for that victim, Alicia Schmid, had argued that Caltrans knew the road was unsafe and should have installed more safety devices in the median. The state argued that the blame was the entire fault of the other driver, who fell asleep at the wheel and crossed into Schmid's lane.
Friday's crash was "a classic case of road rage and speeding," Quintero said.
Passing is not allowed on shoulders, and the speed limit on Highway 12 is 55 mph.
Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.
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Reader Feedback
jramagic wrote on Nov 22, 2008 9:28 AM:
was implemented. Let's make it happen! "
Lodian wrote on Nov 20, 2008 12:48 AM:
OTH wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:12 AM:
Thank you for your response. I just thought with an accident such as this that testing would be SOP. "
jramagic wrote on Nov 18, 2008 7:36 AM:
that our new Administration will likely be implementing soon. Let's hope so. Its about time we used OUR taxpayer dollars to fix OUR crummy roads and infrastructure ...instead of Iraq's! "
Layla Bohm, reporter wrote on Nov 17, 2008 5:20 PM:
al da long wrote on Nov 17, 2008 3:59 PM:
Proposition Clueless: It should call for the euthanizing of stupid people such as this driver. "
jramagic wrote on Nov 17, 2008 2:38 PM:
"Blood Alley" to and from...maybe even after sunset (ever drive SR12 into a rising or setting sun? ...Horrible). Its just not worth the risk, to me. Most SR12 drivers are "destination-driven". They are not locals and do not have a "Delta" mentality. They just want to get from Point A to Point B....FAST! With me going 60 tops, I'm just an obstacle to harrass, tailgate, and pass- or worse. So why go through that hassle? I just go elsewhere where there is not so much pressure and stress..not to mention risk. I'd LOVE to visit Lodi & Fairfield more, but..... "
reality1 wrote on Nov 17, 2008 1:04 PM:
FYI there is no Home Depot in Lodi and when I built my house I dealt with Foster lumber and other locals and got free delivery at competitive prices. Didn't have to drive any roads. "
lodiBorn wrote on Nov 17, 2008 11:32 AM:
jramagic wrote on Nov 17, 2008 9:47 AM:
I would have loved to have shopped in lovely, convenient Lodi...but because of that crummy road, I did most all of my shopping in Brentwood, even though I had to pay bridge toll. And that will continue, until SR12 is fixed. I imagine others may feel the same. "
reality1 wrote on Nov 17, 2008 9:02 AM:
elsewhere just because of that. In fact, during the last 2-3 years, I spent $150,000+ elsewhere... because of that crummy road"
Dude I doubt highly if you would have spent that much in Lodi. Not enough shopping or eating going on here.
For all of you sue happy people get over it. It is not the roads fault this accident happened. "
deblaw wrote on Nov 17, 2008 8:13 AM:
jramagic wrote on Nov 17, 2008 7:22 AM:
elsewhere just because of that. In fact, during the last 2-3 years, I spent $150,000+ elsewhere... because of that crummy "road". And that will continue until it is made safe with a barrier. Sorry Lodi- you are such a lovely little city that I'd love to enjoy. I'll bet I'm not the only person who feels this way. "
jramagic wrote on Nov 17, 2008 7:12 AM:
That's right...the CENTER! The road was crowded in BOTH directions...everyone had to hit the shoulders to let these death-freaks pass. I called 911 immediately...but it took no less than 20 minutes before they finally got around to taking my call. So forget help from the CHP. We need a BARRIER and need it STAT! Only a BARRIER will give sure protection 7x24!! Please consider YOUR loved ones driving this crummy overused road and push for a BARRIER! "
jramagic wrote on Nov 17, 2008 7:03 AM:
edukater wrote on Nov 16, 2008 8:06 PM:
3xparent wrote on Nov 15, 2008 3:51 PM:
reading wrote on Nov 15, 2008 1:59 PM:
Mrs. S. wrote on Nov 15, 2008 1:33 PM:
OTH wrote on Nov 15, 2008 8:48 AM:
The victim may not sue but you better believe we are paying for his medical bills as well as his passenger. "
gail1 wrote on Nov 15, 2008 8:15 AM:
boonablis wrote on Nov 15, 2008 7:42 AM:
Will the victim sue the state as well? "
KenH wrote on Nov 15, 2008 4:20 AM:
Mad Dog wrote on Nov 15, 2008 3:18 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.