California Highway Patrol officers are investigating a fatal multi-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on northbound Highway 99 near Harney Lane in Lodi that left two people dead and several others injured.
According to authorities, the collision involved a big rig and three other vehicles. One of the victims was identified by the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner as 20-year-old Clark James Fojas of Stockton.
Investigators said a 24-year-old driver operating the big rig allegedly veered off the roadway and struck a guardrail before the deadly crash unfolded. Fojas and a juvenile victim suffered fatal injuries in the collision.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported five injured people to area hospitals for medical treatment.
The driver of the big rig was later arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run resulting in death. CHP officials continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash.