The driver of a car that crashed in rural South Manteca left a bouquet of red roses on the front seat of the vehicle where two air bags had deployed. 

The 2001 Toyota failed to make the turn from Avenue D to South Manteca Road and crashed into a PG&E power pole dropping power lines to the ground and knocking out power to ranches along Avenue  D to the west.  A utility company worker cut the lines at both the east and west ends of the roadway to ensure the safety of emergency workers.

The east bound vehicle lost control in the turn as it severed the pole at ground level and continued on another 75 yards crossing South Manteca Road and ending in a dirt area near a planted field.

Early on there were fears that the driver had fled and possibly was injured laying in a nearby field, but a farmer later noted that he was seen getting out of his vehicle and getting into a small white car that had pulled up on the scene and gave him a ride out of the area. 

Lathrop-Manteca Fire Department first responders and the CHP were both at the scene investigating the crash.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.