Three die in Merced County crash. Here’s what the CHP knows so far about the collision
An early-morning collision left three people dead Sunday in Merced County, the California Highway Patrol reported.
CHP officers responded about 5:55 a.m. to the area of Santa Fe Drive, west of Franklin Road, for a report of a two-vehicle crash, according to CHP Sgt. Danny Bowen.
The collision involved a Jeep Patriot driven by a 34-year-old man with a 34-year-old female passenger, both believed to be from Merced, and a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by a 38-year-old Turlock woman, according to Bowen.
One of the vehicles is believed to have been traveling west on Santa Fe Drive as the other vehicle was traveling east, authorities stated. Both vehicles were traveling at unknown speeds.
It appears one of the vehicles crossed into the oncoming lane and the collision occurred, according to Bowen, resulting in major damage to both cars. The CHP said emergency medical services personnel responded, but all three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the collision as well as the specific direction of travel for each vehicle remain under investigation, according to Bowen. Identities of those involved have not been released, pending notification of their families.
