Suspected DUI crash kills man, injures others near 9th and V streets in Merced

A man is dead Saturday after a driver suspected of DUI ran a red light, crashing into two vehicles, the Merced Police Department said.

Officers arrived around 6:50 p.m. to V Street near 9th Street to the scene of the collision. The driver of the 2014 black Camaro was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed and never slowed down, crashing into the two vehicles, police said.

The collision killed a man and injured three others.

A man was flown to a Modesto hospital with major injuries. The occupants in the other vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Luis Rodriguez Amezcua.

Witnesses told officers that Amezcua initially fled the scene leaving behind his two passengers. But the witnesses directed the officers to him one block away from the scene.

Amezcua was charged with DUI, manslaughter and hit and run.

Police said that section of V Street between 8th and 10th Street would remain closed until 6 a.m. Sunday as PG&E repairs the power poles.

Police are asking witnesses to call 209-385-6912.

This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 8:22 PM.