Fatal Head-on Crash Hatch Road, Near Ceres River Bluff Park

Leroy Don Smith, 89, Youkhana Atrmiz, 36, Killed in Collision

CERES, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2023) — Leroy Don Smith, 89, Youkhana Atrmiz, 36, were both killed Wednesday night in a head-on crash on Hatch Road near Ceres River Bluff Park.

The deadly collision occurred at around 8:19 p.m. on Dec. 13th, according to East Bay Times.

The drivers of a Toyota Prius and a Chrysler 300 were involved. The eastbound Chrysler reportedly veered across the double yellow lines into oncoming traffic and collided with the westbound Toyota occupied by a driver and passenger.

Two people in the Toyota and the driver of the Chrysler became trapped in their vehicles and Modesto firefighters responded and extricated them.

Youkhana Atrmiz, 36, of Ceres, who was driving the Chrysler, was transported to a hospital where he later died. Police say the driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

Meanwhile, the 64-year-old Castro Valley woman driving the Toyota sustained major injuries and was also hospitalized, but is listed in stable condition. However, her 89-year-old passenger, Leroy Don Smith, died at the scene of the crash.

Investigators continue to work on the case to determine if speed, alcohol and or drugs were factors in the crash.

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