Students injured in Highway 152 crash

LOS BANOS -- A Hoover High assistant basketball coach and five students were involved in a solo-vehicle crash Thursday on westbound Highway 152, east of Los Banos. At least one student has serious injuries, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The crash was reported at 10:27 a.m. east of Carlucci Road. The coach, 30-year-old Michael McDonald, was driving a rented Dodge Caravan carrying five boys, ages 15 to 17. For unknown reasons, the van drifted to the right side of the road.

The van struck a wooden power pole, slid, overturned and hit a guard rail, according to CHP officer Jesse Lopez.

McDonald wasn't hurt. One of the boys suffered a possible broken femur and wrist, while an unidentified 17-year-old boy was flown to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto with head trauma. Lopez said the names of the injured students aren't available.

The other students suffered scrapes, abrasions and minor injuries. DUI isn't suspected in the crash.

Lopez said the impact of the crash caused the power lines to break, resulting in a power outage in the immediate area.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.