It was determined a 2006 Ford pick-up operated by Linda Smith, 67 of Modesto was westbound on Stockton Road, when a 33 year old male pedestrian, who was walking eastbound along the north shoulder, intentionally jumped in front of Smith’s pick-up.
The pedestrian was three feet into the traffic lane when he was struck by the right front of Smith’s truck. Smith was unable to take any evasive actions to avoid hitting the pedestrian. Several witnesses confirmed that Smith had no time to react to the pedestrian intentionally jumping out in front of her vehicle.
The pedestrian suffered major trauma as the result of the impact with the vehicle, pavement and vegetation. The pedestrian was air lifted to a Modesto hospital, where he has since died from the injuries he sustained during collision. This case has been ruled a suicide.
