Modesto man struck and killed by SUV driven by Atwater man, CHP says
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A Modesto man was struck and killed early Monday morning after he was hit by an SUV on Lake Road just east of Meier Road in Hickman, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP said the crash was reported around 4:40 a.m. Emergency responders arrived to find a Chevrolet SUV with front-end damage and a pedestrian suffering major injuries. The pedestrian — a 39-year-old Modesto man — died at the scene.
The driver, identified as Nazario Lopez Bustos, 70, of Atwater, was not injured.
According to the preliminary investigation, Bustos was driving a 2014 Chevrolet SUV eastbound on Lake Road when he encountered a pedestrian walking in the same lane, ahead of the vehicle. CHP said Bustos turned left in an attempt to avoid the pedestrian, who also moved to the left. The SUV struck him with its right front end.
Bustos was wearing a seat belt and was not suspected of driving under the influence, investigators said.
It remains unclear whether the pedestrian was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Traffic was diverted through the area for a short time Monday morning while officers investigated.
The name of the man who died will be released by the Coroner’s Office once family has been notified.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM with the headline "Modesto man struck and killed by SUV driven by Atwater man, CHP says."
