The California Highway Patrol reported two serious solo vehicle crashes Sunday, one of which involved a 34-year-old Madera man who died after allegedly drinking and driving.
The CHP hasn't released the man's name, pending notification of his family or next-of kin.
The fatal crash was reported shortly after 3 p.m. on southbound Highway 99, south of the Merced River near Livingston, according to Officer Luis Lara, CHP spokesman.
The man was driving a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero in the highway's fast lane between 80 and 90 mph. The car drifted onto the concrete median. The driver lost control, moving back into the fast lane, skidding across the slow lane and hitting an embankment.
Lara said the Montero overturned, and the driver was ejected. He was taken to Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, where he died. Although the crash remains under investigation, Lara said DUI does appear to be a factor.
The Montero had no other occupants.
The other crash was reported around 1:30 p.m. on southbound Highway 99, near Buhach Road.
Merced resident Nelson Laoiga, 65, was driving with passenger Vicki Laoiga, 65, in a 2004 Accura. For unknown reasons, the car veered to the right shoulder and struck a guardrail end cap head-on, Lara said. The car then traveled down an embankment and struck two trees, Lara said.
Vicki Laoiga was taken to a Modesto hospital with major injuries. Nelson Laoiga was taken to Mercy Medical Center Merced for facial lacerations.
Drugs or alcohol are not believed to have been a factor in that crash, Lara said.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.
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