LOS BANOS, CA — On 08/26/2024, at approximately 1938 hours, the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a crash on I-5, south of Arburua Rd., 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 Mr. Jose Canterero-Barrera, 22, of Mendota, CA was driving a 2012 Honda Civic on I-5 southbound, south of Arburua Rd., in the #1 lane at approximately 72 miles per hour, passing a 2024 Freightliner. Mr. Welford Johnson, 65, was driving a 2024 Freightliner Cascadia on I-5 southbound, in the #2 lane, at approximately 57 miles per hour, to the right of the Honda Civic. Mr. Canterero-Barrera lost control of the Honda while attempting to pass the Freightliner. The Honda traveled out of the #1 lane and into the #2 lane and crashed in the Freightliner. As a result of the impact the Freightliner veered to the right where it collided with guardrail west of the roadway, before overturing into a dry creek bed. The Honda traveled off of the roadway down the embankment. Both Mr. Johnson and his passenger, Sara Lee, sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
Drugs and/or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this crash.
