An accident on the outskirts of Hughson Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of Turlock Police Chief Rob Jackson’s eldest son.

The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office identified the fatality as 23-year-old Andrew Richardson of Turlock.

"Chief Jackson would like everyone to know that the young man who died during the accident was his eldest son,” said Turlock Police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis. “The Jackson family is devastated and going through the grieving process. We ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during these trying times.

“The family is currently in the process of making funeral arrangements. Please keep Chief Jackson and his family in your thoughts and prayers,” Lewis said.

The accident occurred just before 5 p.m. Tuesday on Hatch Road, east of Baldwin Road, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Richardson was driving a 2005 Jeep eastbound on Hatch. Further ahead was a 2002 Honda, driven by Michael Argento, 36, of Oakdale. According to the CHP, Argento said he was driving at an estimated 40 mph and that the Jeep was coming up behind him at a higher rate of speed.

Richardson tried to make an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting the Honda, but the left front of the Jeep collided with the right rear of the Honda, said CHP spokesperson Officer Eric Parsons.

The impact sent the Jeep up an embankment off the road, where it overturned. Richardson was not wearing a seat belt and sustained fatal injuries at the scene, the CHP reported.

Argento sustained minor injuries in the collision, but did not seek medical attention, according to the CHP report.

Alcohol and drugs are not considered to have been a factor in the collision.