TURLOCK – The driver of a SUV that crashed Thursday night was arrested and charged in the death of his wife, authorities said Friday.

The crash happened at about 10:37pm on the southbound lanes of Highway 99 just south of the Monte Vista Avenue onramp. The California Highway Patrol said 35 year old Luis Rodriguez of Merced was driving a 2016 Ford Explorer when he lost control and traveled off the highway. The Explorer overturned into the right hand shoulder, ejecting the passenger. The passenger, a 31 year old woman identified as Rodriguez’s wife, was not wearing her seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. She died from her injuries at the scene.

Rodriguez was also not wearing his seatbelt and was trapped inside the vehicle. Firefighters used rescue tools to remove him from the vehicle. He was taken to Memorial Medical Center with major injuries including a compound fracture to the femur and arm.

The couple had their four children in the vehicle, aged six months, one, two, and three years old. All were properly restrained in the vehicle. Two children were taken to Memorial Medical Center and two were taken to Doctors Medical Center. American Medical Response personnel transported them all by ambulance as a precaution, however none were injured. In total, three ambulances and a medical helicopter responded. The helicopter was later canceled.

Turlock Fire Department responded with three engines, Squad 32 and a Chief Officer.

Officials said alcohol was presumed to be a factor in the crash, and Rodriguez was arrested.

TURLOCK – At least one person lost their life in a roll over collision on Highway 99 Thursday night.

The crash was dispatched by the California Highway Patrol at about 10:38pm on the southbound lanes of Highway 99 just south of the Monte Vista Avenue onramp. A silver Ford Explorer SUV landed on its roof on the right shoulder next to Pedretti Park.

Early reports indicate at least one occupant of the explorer died after being ejected from the vehicle. That person was just inside the fence line near the park. Another was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be removed using rescue tools according to the Turlock Fire Department.

Stanislaus County Coroner officials responded to the scene shortly before 12:30am.

Several other occupants of the SUV were rushed to hospitals with unspecified injuries. There were a total of six people in the SUV. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

OAKDALE – A crash on Highway 120 closed the roadway and claimed the life of a motorcyclist Wednesday night.

The crash was reported on Highway 120 just north of Valley Home Road at about 9:52pm. Early reports indicate a motorcycle, Toyota Prius and a big rig were all involved in the crash. The Prius appeared overturned next to the motorcycle. The rider was ejected from the bike.

The roadway was completely closed to traffic while officers with California Highway Patrol investigated and took measurements. The circumstances surrounding the crash were not available at time of publication.