Chowchilla man dies in one-car rollover

A 28-year-old resident of Chowchilla was killed Sunday night about 9 p.m. after losing control of his pickup on northbound State Route 99 near the curve just north of Highway 152, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities have identified the fatality as Richard Nelson Taylor, II.

CHP public information officer Greg Rodriguez said it was not currently known what caused the white 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Taylor to leave the roadway but the pickup struck several light poles, rolled and flipped several times ejecting Taylor out of the vehicle.

“Several witnesses said saw the vehicle leave the roadway at a high rate of speed, drift off the east side (of the roadway) and overturn multiple times. He was ejected. The investigation is still ongoing but we believe the seat belt was not in use. He was the only occupant in the vehicle.” Rodriguez said.

Several passing motorists stopped and attempted life saving efforts and CPR, according to Rodriguez, but Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, with all factors such as distracted driving, speed, alcohol and fatigue under review. Toxicology reports are pending.

A secondary, minor injury collision occurred shortly after the fatal rollover as drivers slowed to look at the scene of the overturned pickup, and bystanders, according to officers.

Traffic on north bound SR 99 was snarled and reduced to one lane for several hours as emergency crews worked to clear the scene.