Traffic traveling north on Highway 99 near Fowler was slowed down for an hour Monday afternoon after a Fresno man was killed in a single vehicle traffic accident. Carlos Zepeda, 25, was headed northbound on Highway 99 just before 4:30 p.m. when his 2000 Honda Accord apparently drifted into the dirt center median, causing him to veer back to the right and lose control of his vehicle. The car crossed all three lanes of northbound traffic and went over the side of the road, causing the vehicle to roll.

The victim was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and was flung from the car, which then landed on its wheels and on top of his chest.

Emergency medical technicians on the scene declared Zepeda dead at 5:15 p.m.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident and the driver was the only occupant of the car. It is unknown at this time what caused Zepeda to drift into the median.

Northbound traffic on Highway 99 was slowed down until 5:30 p.m., when the roadway was cleared of emergency vehicles.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Aug. 26, 2008)