Jamestown, CA…On Saturday, January 26, 2019, at approximately 6:06 pm, 37 year old driver Billy Thao and 43 year old passenger Brad Thao, both from Sacramento, were traveling westbound on State Route 120 in a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, east of La Grange Road. 29 year old driver Muruganandham Arulandham and 24 year old passenger Cindhu Elamuazhuthz, both from Sunnyvale, were traveling westbound on State Route 120 in a 2018 Toyota Rav4, to the rear of Thao. A 55 year old Modesto resident was driving a 1995 Mazda 626 eastbound on State Route 120 east of La Grange Road approaching Thao’s Tacoma. For unknown reasons the driver of the Mazda failed to safely negotiate the slight right curve in the roadway and crossed into the westbound lane into Thao’s path. Thao was unable to take evasive action before the front of the Mazda struck the front of the Tacoma.

The force of the impact caused the Tacoma to fully overturn onto the right shoulder. After striking the Tacoma, the Mazda continued in an eastbound direction within the westbound lane were it struck the front end of the Rav4. The driver of the Mazda was declared deceased at the scene. Both occupants of the Tacoma were transported to Adventist Health Sonora to be treated for moderate injuries. Passenger Elamuazhuthz was flown to Memorial Hospital in Modesto to be treated for moderate injuries. This collision is still under investigation.

Alcohol and/or drugs may have been a factor in this collision. Any witnesses of the collision are encouraged to contact Officer Harrington at the Sonora Area CHP Office at 209-984-3944.