A three-vehicle accident on Tuesday morning near the intersection of Patterson and Skittone roads outside Riverbank resulted in one fatality.

The crash occurred about 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 14 when a westbound Honda sedan on Patterson Road/Highway 108 slowed down to make a left turn on to Skittone Road. The driver of a Ford SUV behind the Honda turned abruptly to the left to avoid rear-ending the stopped Honda but the Ford then flipped on to its side and was struck by an eastbound Chevy SUV.

CHP officials said the driver of the Ford sustained fatal injuries; her name was not available at press time.

The driver of the Chevrolet sustained major injuries; authorities said she had three children in her vehicle, all of whom also suffered injuries, classified as minor to moderate. All were taken to area hospitals by ambulance.

Those in the Honda declined medical attention at the scene; the rear of the Honda was struck by one of the SUVs during the course of the three-vehicle collision.

A portion of the roadway was shut down during the emergency response and CHP investigation; traffic was detoured to Coffee Road and the closure lasted about two hours.

Skittone, off Patterson, is east of the McHenry Avenue/Ladd Road intersection.