MANTECA, Calif. — An 11-month-old infant has died a day after a multi-vehicle freeway crash near Modesto that also killed a 26-year-old Ceres man and injured four others, the California Highway Patrol said.
The crash happened shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday along Highway 132 east of South River Road near Vernalis, CHP said.
According to CHP's preliminary investigation, the 26-year-old driver of a Honda sedan was driving eastbound on the highway and, for an unknown reason, partially crossed over double yellow lines, CHP said. The car then sideswiped a Honda SUV. The SUV then struck a Toyota sedan head-on. Another driver applied their brakes to avoid the crash and was struck from behind by a fifth driver.
The 11-month-old in the Toyota was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center with major injuries but died from their injuries on Sunday, CHP said. Details were not released on the child's gender.
Others who were hurt had minor injuries, CHP said. Highway 132 was closed until 3:10 p.m.
It’s unknown if alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash.