The 77-year old driver of a 1998 Ford Ranger was killed Saturday afternoon near the Westwood cemetery on Highway 36 when the vehicle he was driving crossed the road and struck a tree. His passenger, identified as 51-year old Chester resident Thomas Sanchez Jr., received only minor injuries and was transported to Seneca Hospital.
According to the report from the California Highway Patrol, the driver, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was driving on SR-36 westbound near the cemetery at approximately 55mph.
The weather at the time was cool, with a light rain falling and the roadway was wet.
For an unknown reason, the driver allowed the Ford Ranger to veer to the left, travel across the eastbound lane and onto the gravel shoulder.
The driver took no evasive or braking action prior to the front of the vehicle colliding with the Fir tree.
Both the driver and his passenger were wearing the their seatbelts according to the CHP, and both the driver’s and passenger’s side airbags deployed.
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