A 67-year-old man from Sonora has been identified as the motorist killed in a two-vehicle collision west of Escalon during the mid-afternoon of Tuesday, July 5.

Officials with the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office said Rodney Blanco, 67, of Sonora, died in the crash, which occurred about 2 p.m. along Highway 120, west of Sexton Road.

According to the CHP report, Blanco was westbound in a 2002 Ford, driving at an undetermined rate of speed. An eastbound 2008 Peterbilt big rig, driven by a 39-year-old Riverbank man, was going about 50 mph. For an unknown reason, Blanco’s vehicle crossed in to the eastbound lane, where the two vehicles collided head-on. The Ford rotated counter clockwise and came to rest on the north shoulder of Highway 120. The big rig continued in an easterly direction across the right shoulder and on to the south shoulder of Highway 120, where it came to rest.

Blanco succumbed to his injuries on scene, the CHP report, said, while the big rig driver was uninjured. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

Traffic was detoured around the accident scene Tuesday afternoon while the investigation was underway. Along with the CHP, Escalon police, fire and ambulance crews also responded to the scene to assist.