On January 8, 2024, at approximately 2045 hours, the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a crash on Russell Avenue north of I-5, with medical personnel responding. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Los Banos Area responded to the scene and investigated the crash.
It was determined a 36 year old male was driving a 2002 Honda southbound Russell Avenue, north of Interstate-5 at an undetermined speed. For an unknown reason, the driver allowed the Honda to travel off the east road edge of Russell Avenue where it collided with an empty irrigation ditch. The solo occupant driver was not wearing his seat belt and sustained fatal injuries. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this crash and this crash is still under investigation.
For further information or questions contact Los Banos Area Public Information Officer Shannon Stiers at (209) 826-3811.
