Modesto, CA (April 10, 2024) Sadness blanketed the town of Modesto on Tuesday evening following the loss of four lives in a crash. 1-year-old Clara Howells and her grandmother, 60-year-old Patricia Marie Lopez, both from Turlock were both killed in this accident. 22-year-old Francis Joe Catano and 19-year-old Angeles Lisset Escoto, were also killed in this four-vehicle collision on McHenry Avenue. The California Highway Patrol reported that the accident took place around 4:00 p.m., north of Hogue Road.
A 2004 Mitsubishi was heading north on McHenry Avenue on the afternoon of April 9th. 19-year-old Escoto, from Merced, was behind the wheel of the vehicle, and Catano was a passenger. She suddenly veered over the double yellow lines and into oncoming traffic. Lopez was heading south in a 2019 Toyota SUV, her granddaughter buckled into her car seat in the back, officers said. The Mitsubishi and the Toyota collided, head-on.
A Ford pickup truck was also heading south and hit both the Toyota and the Mitsubishi on the roadway. The Mitsubishi was then hit again by a Dodge Ram that was also traveling south on McHenry. The drivers of the Ford and the Dodge were the only occupants in their vehicles, officers said. Neither driver was hurt.
The four vehicles blocked the roadway and debris flew in all directions. The vehicles were completely smashed and destroyed in the crash. Emergency personnel arrived quickly after receiving the call. Paramedics rushed to the destroyed vehicles to give medical aid to anyone in need. Unfortunately, they found Escoto and Catano both deceased. They were both pronounced dead at the scene and authorities waited for the coroner to arrive.
Lopez and 1-year-old Howells were both in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Paramedics rushed Lopez to Memorial Medical Center via ambulance and Howells was rushed to Doctors Medical Center. Sadly, both succumbed to their injuries and were later pronounced dead at the hospitals.
Investigators continue to work on this accident to determine what caused Escoto to drive the wrong way on McHenry Avenue. It took crews hours to clear the glass, liquid and debris from the roadway. Tow trucks had to haul the wreckage from the scene following this devastating collision.
Our team at Accident News Now extends our deepest condolences to the families of Clara Howells, Patricia Marie Lopez, Frances Joe Catano and Angles Lisset Escoto. We know this is a difficult time for family and friends. Our legal team is here to help during this tough time.
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