On August 31, 2024 at approximately 0610 hours, Merced Communications Center received calls of a solo traffic crash in the area of Santa Fe Grade, south of W. Shaw Avenue. Officers from the California Highway Patrol Los Banos Area office responded to the scene.
Preliminary investigation indicates a 24 year old male of Mendota, CA accompanied by a 23 year old female passenger of Firebaugh, CA were driving a 2023 Yamaha Raptor Quad southbound on Santa Fe Grade, south of W. Shaw Avenue at an apparent high rate of speed. At this time, a Hopper Wesco Trailer was parked on the west side of the road ahead of the Yamaha. For reasons unknown, the male driver did not slow for the parked trailer and was unable to avoid a crash. The front of the Yamaha collided with the right rear of the trailer. Both occupants were not restrained and were ejected from the Yamaha. Both occupants were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash and were pronounced deceased on scene.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this crash.
For any media inquiries or additional information contact Los Banos Area Public Information Officer Shannon Stiers, at (209) 826-3811
