So Why Buckle Up And Not Drive Under The Influence?

Modesto, CA — Two examples of why you should buckle up and never drive under the influence.

At 8:15pm Christmas Eve a 48 year old Modesto resident failed to stop at a posted stop sign on Claribel Rd. east of Coffee Rd. He traveled through the intersection and off the south shoulder, turned back to the left, crossed over the roadway and hit a utility pole. He was ejected from the vehicle. According to the CHP report he was not wearing his seat belt and was possibility under the influence of methamphetamine … he died at the scene. His 24 year old Modesto passenger (Sergey Gottuyanitsa) was wearing his seatbelt … he was not injured.

Six hours later a 23 year old Turlock man was driving northbound on Central Ave. south of West Main. He drove off the west shoulder and struck a utility pole, traveled back onto Central and overturned several times. He was wearing his seat belt but driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs may have been a contributing factor according to the CHP.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com