DUI Suspected In Fiery HWY 49 Crash

Moccasin, CA — The CHP has released new details surrounding a serious injury crash on Highway 49 last night in the Moccasin area where drunk driving is suspected.

As earlier reported here, the solo vehicle wreck happened around 11 p.m. Monday on Highway 49 in the Moccasin area of Tuolumne County. CHP spokesperson Officer Steve Machado reports that 39-year-old Gatlin Hampton of Douglas Flat was driving a 2003 Chevrolet pickup southbound on the highway, about 2.4 miles south of Marshes Flat Road when he allowed the truck to travel into the oncoming traffic lane and off the roadway. Hampton subsequently lost control of the pickup, which crossed back over the roadway and onto a large gravel turnout. The truck then slid nearly vertically into an embankment, according to Machado, adding that it came to a rest at approximately 100 feet below the road.

Hampton was able to exit the pickup before it erupted in flames. Machado disclosed, “The vehicle was the only thing that caught fire, as it came to rest in a rocky area with no vegetation around. Emergency crews were able to extinguish the fire before it became out of control.”

Hampton suffered major injuries and was arrested for driving under the influence, with alcohol intoxication believed to be a contributing factor in this crash, noted Machado.