Driver Accused of DUI in Deadly Head-on Crash in San Joaquin County, CHP Says

Updated: 9:42 PM PDT Jul 14, 2026
Reported by KCRA

What Happened?

A 31-year-old man was arrested because he is suspected of causing a deadly car crash on Monday in San Joaquin County. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) — the police who watch over highways — says they think he was driving under the influence (DUI), which means he was likely driving while drunk or on drugs.

How the Crash Was Found

• The Stockton Communications Center (a place where emergency calls are answered) found out about the crash at about 5:51 a.m.
• It happened on Highway 12, west of Guard Road and west of Lodi.
• They learned about it because an iPhone alert notification (a warning from a phone) told them something was wrong.

What the Crash Looked Like

• The 31-year-old man from North Highlands was driving west on Highway 12.
• He went over the solid double yellow lines (those two yellow lines in the middle of the road that mean "do not cross") and hit a pickup truck coming the other way, front-to-front. This is called a head-on crash.
• Both vehicles flew off the road because of the hit.
• The pickup truck caught on fire (became engulfed in flames).

Who Was Hurt

• The pickup truck driver was a 51-year-old man from Lodi. He died right there at the scene (the place of the crash).
• The 31-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with major injuries (very serious hurts).

What Witnesses Saw

Witnesses (people who saw it) told investigators that the 31-year-old was trying to pass a big rig (a large truck) when he crossed those double yellow lines.

The Arrest and Charges

1. The 31-year-old was taken to the hospital with major injuries.
2. While he was at the hospital, officers found out he was impaired (not able to think or move normally, likely from alcohol or drugs) during the crash.
3. They arrested him there.
4. After he got treatment, CHP said he will face:
   • DUI charges (driving under the influence)
   • Manslaughter charges (causing someone’s death by careless or impaired action)
5. His name was not shared, and the name of the person who died was also not released.

Important: DUI means driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Manslaughter means being responsible for someone’s death without meaning to kill them. The 31-year-old has not been named, and neither has the victim.

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Summary

A 31-year-old North Highlands man crossed double yellow lines on Highway 12 near Lodi and hit an oncoming pickup truck head-on. The 51-year-old Lodi driver died, and the younger man was badly hurt. CHP says he was impaired and arrested him at the hospital. He faces DUI and manslaughter charges. Names have not been released.

FAQ

What does CHP stand for?
CHP stands for California Highway Patrol, the police who handle highway safety and crashes in California.

What does "head-on crash" mean?
It means two vehicles hit each other front-to-front while moving in opposite directions.

What is DUI?
DUI means "driving under the influence" — operating a car while drunk or on drugs.

Why were the names not released?
Police often wait to share names for legal or family-notification reasons. CHP said both the suspect’s and victim’s identities were not released.

How did police first know about the crash?
They got an iPhone alert notification at 5:51 a.m. about the crash on Highway 12.