Woman killed in Modesto hit-and-run after entering roadway, CHP says

A woman was killed Friday night in Modesto when she ran into a roadway and was struck by two vehicles, one of which left the scene. The California Highway Patrol has described her action intentional.

The incident was reported around 8:20 p.m. April 24 on Riverside Drive, south of Nathan Avenue, the CHP reported.

Officers responded and found a female pedestrian in the roadway with injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity is pending confirmation by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office.

The CHP preliminary investigation indicates the woman was standing on the east shoulder of Riverside Drive before she intentionally ran into the roadway in front of northbound traffic.

She entered the path of a 2000 Ford pickup driven by a 59-year-old Modesto man, who was unable to avoid hitting her, authorities said. He remained at the scene.

After the initial impact, the pedestrian came to rest in the northbound lane, where she was struck again by a white sedan traveling behind the pickup. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived, the CHP said.

The intersection of Riverside Drive and Nathan Avenue was closed for about 90 minutes during the investigation.

As of Monday afternoon, CHP spokesperson Officer Aaron Fay had no additional update on the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the CHP Modesto office at 209-545-7440.

This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Woman killed in Modesto hit-and-run after entering roadway, CHP says."