19-year-old woman hurt in Bear Creek crash

A 19-year-old woman was injured early Tuesday morning after her car plunged into Bear Creek.

The driver of the car, Angel Carlquist Hernandez, called Merced police on her cell phone around 12:10 a.m. after the crash happened in the 1600 block of North East Bear Creek Drive, according to Sgt. Bobby Chapman.

Merced police and firefighters arrived at the scene and spotted Hernandez's Grey 2002 Kia Sportage upside down in the bottom of the creek. Chapman said the car had plummeted more than 20 feet into the creek and was taking in water.

Officers and firefighters scaled the creek's embankment and reached the car at the bottom. Responders were able to remove Hernandez from the car, secure her to a gurney and pull her up the embankment using a rope and ladder, Chapman said.

Ironically, Merced firefighters had been at Bear Creek earlier Monday, practicing rescue techniques similar to those used at the crash scene.

Hernandez was taken to a Modesto hospital for her injuries. According to police, Hernandez admitted to taking prescription drugs and to drinking beer prior to the crash.

Chapman said Hernandez wasn't arrested on suspicion of DUI, but she could be charged after her release from the hospital.

— Sun-Star staff