FRESNO COUNTY, CA — A 30-year-old Elk Grove man died early Thursday morning in a violent, high-speed crash that sent his vehicle airborne before he was struck by another car on Highway 99. The California Highway Patrol identified the victim as Tyrone Lee, who was not wearing a seatbelt during the catastrophic collision near Manning Avenue.
The crash occurred at 12:36 a.m. when Lee’s Acura MDX, traveling at excessive speed westbound on Manning Avenue, struck two concrete curbs and launched approximately 120 feet down an embankment. The impact ejected Lee from the SUV, sending him onto the northbound lanes of Highway 99, where he was hit by a Nissan Sentra. The Nissan’s driver, who remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, was unharmed but shaken by the traumatic incident.
CHP investigators spent hours reconstructing the chaotic scene, measuring skid marks and debris fields that indicated Lee lost control well before the crash. The force of the collision crumpled the Acura beyond recognition, while emergency crews worked to secure the area as traffic was diverted for several hours. Toxicology reports are pending to determine if impairment played a role, though witnesses reported no signs of erratic driving prior to the crash.
Lee’s death marks the fourth fatal accident on this stretch of Highway 99 this year, raising concerns about speeding and seatbelt compliance in rural Fresno County. CHP Officer Mark Andrews emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy: “This is a brutal reminder that seatbelts save lives. Had he been restrained, the outcome might have been different.” Data shows unbelted occupants are far more likely to be ejected in crashes, with a 75% fatality rate.
As the investigation continues, Lee’s family has requested privacy while mourning the loss of a man described by friends as a hardworking father of two. A roadside memorial now marks the crash site, where flowers and handwritten notes honor his memory. Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Fresno CHP office.
