Escalon man dies in collision on Highway 108

An Escalon man was killed Saturday in a collision west of Jamestown on Highway 108 near the Montezuma Junction with Highway 49.

The man was identified this morning as Abdulla Waheeb, 55, who either owned or worked at a mini-market in Escalon, said Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Deputy Coroner Rob Lyons.

The accident occurred at 4:05 p.m. Saturday as Waheeb was driving west on Highway 108.

The other driver, Joel Gruenhagan, 52, of Modesto, told CHP officers he was driving east at 55 to 57 mph, when he started to feel the front of his 2002 Ford shake and heard a loud bang, possibly caused by the left front tire suddenly going flat.

He said he veered left, into the westbound lane, struggling to regain control of the car. His car hit the left front of the other car, a 2012 Toyota driven by Waheeb. The collision severely damaged the Toyota’s left side and roof.

After the collision, both vehicles began to spin, coming to rest on the north shoulder of the road.

Gruenhagen was not injured. His passenger, Kim Gruenhagen, 49, of Modesto, suffered minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital by ambulance, the CHP said.

CHP Sgt. Jim Jacobs said the accident will remain under investigation until the car is examined.