A Modesto man was killed Tuesday morning on Highway 99 in Turlock when he attempted to pass another vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed.

The deceased was identified as Christian Rivera, 26, of Modesto.

The collision was reported to the California Highway Patrol at 9:35 a.m. Tuesday on southbound Highway 99, just north of Lander Avenue.

Rivera was driving a 2010 Mazda sedan southbound on the highway in the number one lane at a high rate of speed. He was rapidly coming up behind a 2022 Ford SUV, driven by Gokce Ozkazancguc, 28, of San Jose, which also was in the number one lane.

Rivera attempted to pass the Ford on the left, entering into the center median, according to the CHP. The Mazda clipped the left rear of the Ford, causing Rivera to lose control of the vehicle.

The Mazda veered across all lanes of traffic in a southwesterly direction. It reached the west shoulder, where it overturned multiple times. Rivera was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the Mazda, the CHP reported.

Rivera was taken by ambulance to a Doctors Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Ozkazancguc was not injured in the collision.

It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in the collision.

“Seatbelts, when worn properly, have the ability to save your life when involved in a traffic collision,” said CHP spokesman Tomas Olsen. “Further, driving a vehicle in a reckless manner endangers not only your life, but the lives of others. Drive to arrive.”