A three-car accident caused by a wrong-way driver on Highway 99 on Monday morning resulted in the death of a Turlock man.

Richard Doyle Nix Jr., 27, of Turlock, was driving a Nissan Pathfinder southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 at approximately 6:40 a.m. Monday when he hit a 2010 Freightliner big-rig head on. He was going approximately 50 to 60 mph, reported the California Highway Patrol.  

Freightliner driver Luis Rosales, 46, of Bakersfield, was driving in the middle lane going northbound on Highway 99 just north of South Avenue. He was going approximately 55 mph, according to the CHP report. Rosales and his passenger, Ignacio Holguin, 38, of Bakersfield, were unhurt during this collision.

After the Nissan struck the big-rig head on, the Nissan spun around into the slow lane striking the right front end of a 2003 Lexus that was driving northbound on Highway 99. The Lexus was to the rear of the big-rig going approximately 65 mph, according to the CHP. The driver of the 2003 Lexus was Michela Furuti of Pflugerville, Texas. Furuti was unhurt during this collision.  

Both the Nissan and the Freightliner sustained major front end damage and came to rest blocking both lanes of Highway 99 northbound. The Lexus sustained minor front end damage. Furuti was able to move the Lexus onto the right shoulder after the collision.

Nix was wearing his seatbelt during the collision and sustained major injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. All other parties involved were unhurt.

It is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the accident. The collision is under investigation.

To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.