Jamestown, CA…On Wednesday, January 3, 2018, just before 2 pm, a 23 year old Turlock resident, Eddie Fernando Gonzales Jr, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on State Route 108/120, east of Lancaster Road at approximately 55 mph, negotiating a right hand curve in the road. At this time, 54 year old Los Altos resident, Edward Laverone, was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound on State Route 108/120, east of Lancaster Road at approximately 55 mph, negotiating a left hand curve in the road. For unknown reasons, Mr. Gonzales allowed his Jeep to travel over the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane, directly into the path of Mr. Laverone. Mr. Laverone was unable to take evasive action to avoid a collision and the vehicles collided head-on. The Jeep came to rest on its wheels facing a easterly direction and blocking the westbound lane. The Tahoe came to rest on its wheels facing a north easterly direction blocking the east bound lane.

Mr. Gonzales sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision. Mr Laverone was pinned-in the vehicle and was extricated by emergency personnel. He was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto to be treated for major injuries.

Pending the autopsy of Mr. Gonzales, it is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol played a factor in this collision.

State Route 108/120 was closed in both directions for approximately 2 ½ hours while the collision was investigated.