Livingston, Calif. On July 21, 2025, at approximately 2:12 a.m., Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a report of a head-on traffic crash in the area of State Route 99, south of Hammatt Avenue. Upon arrival to the scene, CHP officers determined this to be a three-vehicle head on crash with one fatality.
Preliminary investigation determined that a 21-year-old male out of Elk Grove, CA, was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Mailbu, wrong-way in the #1 lane of southbound State Route 99, south of Hammatt Avenue, at an unknown rate of speed. A 41-year-old adult male out of San Bernardino, CA, was driving a 2020 Toyota Camry in the #1 lane of southbound State Route 99, south of Hammatt Avenue, at approximately 65 mph. For unknown reasons, the drivers did not see each other until impact, and the front of the Chevrolet collided with the right front of the Toyota. That impact caused the Chevrolet to veer to the left, in the path of a big rig traveling in the #3 lane of southbound State Route 99, south of Hammatt Avenue. The 26-year-old big rig driver was not able to safely stop the big rig to avoid the crash, and the Chevrolet hit the trailer. The driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased at the crash scene. All four passengers of the Chevrolet, ranging from 19 to 21 years of age, where transported to local hospitals for moderate to major injuries. The big rig driver and Toyota driver did not sustain any injuries and were not transported by medical personnel. Both drivers remained at the scene and were cooperative with the investigating officers.
The cause for the crash is still under investigation and it is unknown if the deceased driver was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer Eric C. Zuniga at (209) 356-6608. If anyone witnessed the collision or has information regarding the events leading up to it, please call Investigating Officer Jaytrin Bounlangsly at (209)356-6600.
