Merced County, CA (October 8, 2025) — A deadly crash early Tuesday morning on State Route 59 claimed the life of one driver, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Dispatchers at the Merced Communication Center received a call around 6:21 a.m. reporting a collision involving multiple vehicles south of Oakdale Road. When officers arrived, they determined that two vehicles—a 2012 Ford Fusion traveling south and a 2026 Western dump truck heading north—had collided head-on.
Investigators say the Ford crossed into the northbound lane for reasons still under review, striking the driver’s side of the dump truck. The impact caused the dump truck to leave the roadway and stop on the west shoulder, while the Ford came to rest in the southbound lane.
The driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. The dump truck driver, a 30-year-old Merced man, was not injured and is cooperating with authorities.
CHP reports that drugs or alcohol are not believed to have played a role in the crash. The investigation into what caused the collision is ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Chad Williams at (209) 356-6600.
