On March 28, 2025 at approximately 11:35PM the California Highway Patrol Merced Communications Center (MCC) received a call of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash on Santa Fe Drive, east of Business Park Way, with an ambulance responding.
Preliminary investigation indicates an adult driver 31, out of Union City, CA was driving 2015 Nissan Sentra eastbound on Santa Fe Drive, east of Business Park Way, in the #2 lane at approximately 50 miles per hour. An area unidentified adult male, who was wearing dark clothing, was walking in the traffic lanes in an unlit portion of Santa Fe Drive, directly in the path of the Nissan. The driver suddenly saw the pedestrian walking directly in the path of the Nissan and turned to the left in attempt to avoid a traffic crash. Unfortunately, the evasive actions were unsuccessful and as a result the front of the Nissan struck the pedestrian while in the middle of the #2 eastbound lane of Santa Fe Drive. As a result of the crash, the pedestrian suffered major injuries and was unresponsive at the scene. He was transported by air ambulance to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, CA.
The driver of the Nissan remained at the scene and was cooperative with investigators. The driver was not injured, and he was not under the influence of drugs/alcohol at the time of the crash.
This traffic crash is still under investigation, and it is unknown at this time if the pedestrian was under the influence of drugs/alcohol at the time of the crash.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
