Groveland, CA…On January 8, 2026, at approximately 4:14 pm, a 43-year-old male from Lodi, CA was driving a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup, alone on westbound State Route 120, east of Grizzly Road at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle approached a right curve in the roadway, the driver allowed his vehicle to leave the roadway and travel off the south roadway edge of State Route 120.

As a result, the vehicle became airborne, coming to rest approximately 400 feet down a steep, brush covered embankment after over-turning multiple times.

Due to the terrain at that location and ensuing darkness, emergency personnel were not able to locate the
vehicle or the driver until January 9, 2026, at approximately 11:08 am.

The responding CHP officer negotiated difficult terrain on foot down the embankment and discovered this crash resulted in fatal injuries to the driver.

The driver’s identity is being withheld pending notification to next of kin. Drugs, alcohol and
seatbelt use are unknown at this time.

This crash remains under investigation.