A late-night walk along a busy Modesto corridor ended in tragedy Sunday when a person was fatally struck by multiple vehicles, police said. The collision happened just before 9 p.m. along Hatch Road between Dallas Street and Ustick Road, and investigators believe the person was walking in the roadway. Authorities have not released the victim's name as the investigation continues.
According to CBS Sacramento, officers found the victim already dead in the roadway, and at least three vehicles are believed to have made contact. Police told the station that all but the third vehicle stayed at the scene while investigators worked Sunday night. The department has said little else while detectives piece together what led up to the collisions.
Where It Happened And What The City Is Doing
The stretch of Hatch Road is a busy corridor on Modesto's west side, and city leaders in recent years have pushed pedestrian safety projects. As outlined by the City of Modesto, officials activated a HAWK pedestrian beacon at a downtown crossing in 2025 and have invested in roundabouts and other traffic calming measures intended to reduce crashes. City officials point to federal data showing HAWK signals can sharply lower pedestrian collisions.
Local Trend: Pedestrian Safety In Stanislaus County
Pedestrian and bicycle collisions have been a continuing concern. The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency reported 18 pedestrian deaths and five bicyclist deaths in 2022, with another 170 pedestrians and 126 bicyclists injured. The Modesto Bee has also reported that Modesto ranked poorly among peer cities for crashes involving alcohol, injuries and fatalities in 2022, a finding that has helped push the county and city to pursue state traffic safety grants and education programs.
Investigation Ongoing
Modesto police have not released further details about the victim and say the investigation remains active. Investigators are reviewing evidence and statements to determine how the collisions unfolded and what factors may have been involved.
The crash is a stark reminder of the risks pedestrians face on busy city streets while the community waits for answers about what happened on Hatch Road.
