A 65-year-old Ceres woman and 28-year-old Modesto man were killed early Monday when their vehicles collided head-on while traveling on Hatch Road.

The crash took place at approximately 2 a.m. on Hatch Road at Central avenues outside of Summit Charter Academy.
Police said that both drivers died on scene and no passengers were involved.

A preliminary investigation has revealed a 2003 Honda Accord driven westbound on Hatch Road by Francisco Verdugo-Garcia, 28, of Modesto, crossed over into the eastbound lanes where it collided with an eastbound 2017 Jeep Sport driven by Hope Granados of Ceres.

When officers arrived Verdugo-Garcia was dead and Granados showed signs of life that faded within minutes. Both were declared dead at the scene.

The Ceres Police Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is conducting a comprehensive investigation.

Anyone with information about the collision is urged to call Traffic Officer Ortiz at 538-5678.