Suspect arrested for DUI after colliding with Merced County Sheriff’s vehicle
A San Jose man was arrested Thursday night after crashing into Merced County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle in Merced.
Manuel Leyva was determined to be driving while under the influence when the vehicle struck the patrol car.
Merced CHP officers responded to a call at 11:23 p.m. in the area of El Capitan Way and Santa Fe Drive. It was determined Merced County deputies had responded to a call and upon arrival parked the patrol vehicle, with the code lights activated, with the rear of the car still in the eastbound lane on El Capitan Way.
A 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Leyva, was traveling eastbound on El Capitan Way. Leyva failed to slow down or attempt to go around the parked patrol car and as a result the Silverado struck the right rear of the patrol vehicle.
There were no deputies in the vehicle at the time of the collision, but during the call the deputies had placed an involved party in the right rear seat, who was wearing a seat belt. The person in the back seat was uninjured.
Leyva did complain of pain. He was arrested and booked at the Merced County Jail.
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 11:36 AM.
