Salida Man Dies After Early Morning Collision at Covert and Toomes Roads
SALIDA, CA, (July 12, 2025) - A suspected drunk driver was arrested following a hit-and-run collision early Thursday that claimed the life of a 67-year-old Salida man, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Victor Martinez Gonzalez, 67, of Salida, was tragically killed early Thursday in Stanislaus County in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver, according to a news release.
The crash occurred at approximately 3:41 a.m. near the intersection of Covert and Toomes Roads in Stanislaus County.
Preliminary findings revealed that a 2006 Honda sedan, driven by a 20-year-old Modesto resident, was traveling west on Covert Road when it ran a stop sign and struck a Toyota sedan driven by Victor Martinez Gonzalez. Gonzalez had been traveling south on Toomes Road and had stopped at the intersection before proceeding.
The force of the collision sent Gonzalez’s vehicle into a nearby field. He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
The Honda driver fled the scene but was later located and arrested. He faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter and DUI.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Data indicates that impaired drivers are significantly more likely to flee the scene of a crash than sober drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 30% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher.
In this case, an independent investigation will be crucial to uncover all contributing factors, including toxicology reports to determine the suspected driver's BAC at the time of the crash.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a victim’s family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drunk drivers are held accountable for their reckless actions,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and an experienced DUI accident attorney.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the results of the investigation, the family members of Victor Martinez Gonzalez may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral and medical expenses, loss of love and companionship, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when a person or entity commits a negligent or wrongful act that results in someone’s death,” said Candice Bond, of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“When vehicle accident fatalities are caused by unsafe driving, impairment, speeding, or distraction, the victim’s family has the legal right to seek justice through a civil action against the responsible driver.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).