House sitter killed after car crashes into Modesto home during pursuit

(FOX40.COM) — A Modesto neighborhood is grieving after a police pursuit ended with a fiery crash into a home on Tuesday morning, killing a house sitter who was inside. The crash happened near Tuxford Lane and Robin Hood Drive after California Highway Patrol officers said a driver suspected of underage drinking tried to flee from law enforcement. CHP said the pursuit began at around 1:20 am when officers spotted a gray sedan speeding along Standiford Ave. Officers said the driver, identified as 20-year-old Zacharia Knoble of Modesto, ran multiple red lights before losing control, crashing through large protective boulders and slamming into the home on Tuxford Lane. The car burst into flames after hitting the home, leaving behind a large hole in what appeared to be a bedroom wall. CHP said the wreckage of the crash was so bad that fire officials initially believed two people had been killed, but later clarified that only one person had died. “Originally, the Modesto Fire Department, with all the debris in the vehicle inside the house, they believed it was two confirmed individuals inside the scene," said CHP Modesto Public Information Officer Aaron Fay. "The coroner's office located one person inside that residence in that room that was confirmed deceased.” The owners of the home told FOX 40 they were away in South Dakota when they received a devastating call. They said a close and beloved family friend who had been house-sitting for them was the person killed. The driver was able to walk away from the crash unharmed and was arrested. “He was investigated for DUI and was determined to be under the influence of alcohol," said Fay. "He had no reports or claims of injuries. But he was taken to the hospital by CHP personnel and medically cleared and booked in the county jail on multiple felony charges.” CHP says an 18-year-old female passenger was also inside the vehicle and suffered minor injuries but was not transported to a hospital. She was released to her mother at the scene. Neighbors said the crash sounded like an explosion. “All you saw was a glimpse of the lights and the boom and the boom, and that basically was it," said a neighbor named Rick. "It was that fast." Neighbor Mike Harden said his mother previously lived in the home and that he had installed multiple large boulders outside the home after a previous crash in the area. Harden pointed to a boulder that was several feet out of place following Tuesday's crash. "That car was going at least, I'd say, 80-something miles an hour to move that rock," said Harden. For many neighbors, the loss was hard to comprehend. A charred outline remained where the car came to rest, and inside the damaged bedroom, a bed and pillow were visible among the debris. The homeowners were too distraught to speak on camera, but several people gathered outside the home to comfort the couple when they returned. The investigation remains ongoing. Neighbors said they hope this serves as a reminder about the dangers of impaired driving. They also hope the city will look into additional speed bumps or safety measures to protect the neighborhood from speeding drivers.