A 20-year-old driver lost his life in a head-on crash in Merced County early Friday morning, while another man sustained serious injuries.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash took place around 2 a.m. on Santa Fe Drive near Avenue Two. Investigators say a 2006 BMW Sedan driven by the young man from Planada drifted into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a 2012 Chevy Sedan driven by a 60-year-old man from Atwater.
The BMW driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Chevy driver suffered major injuries and was airlifted to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
Authorities are still working to determine what caused the Merced County crash, including whether drugs or alcohol played a role. CHP emphasized the importance of seatbelt use, reminding drivers that California law requires all passengers to be properly restrained at all times.
