Modesto, CA – In the early hours of Tuesday, June 9, 2026, a collision resulting from a law enforcement pursuit resulted in the deaths of two people inside a residential home and the arrest of Zacharia James Knobel, 20, according to KCRA.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 1:20 AM on Tuxford Lane.
Authorities said two CHP officers observed a vehicle speeding in the area and initiated a pursuit. The driver ran a red light before losing control and crashing into a home on Tuxford Lane.
Two people who were inside the home at the time of the crash were killed. The homeowners were out of state at the time of the incident. The driver and a passenger in the pursuit vehicle were not seriously injured.
Knobel was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on two counts of felony driving under the influence, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of vehicular manslaughter, evading officers, and driving on a suspended license. Modesto Police Department surveillance footage of the pursuit on city streets was made available to investigators.
The area of Robin Hood Drive and Tuxford Lane was closed for several hours while major crash reconstruction experts worked the scene. The identities of the two victims had not been released at the time of reporting. The investigation remains ongoing.
Wrongful Death Claim
Even if a fatal accident doesn’t lead to criminal charges, families who lose a loved one can still file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide support to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of support for dependents of the deceased.
Modesto Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Modesto wrongful death lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
