Man dies after big rig driver loses control, crashes into Merced encampment, CHP says

A man was killed and woman was injured Wednesday when the driver of a big rig lost control and crashed into an Merced homeless encampment near Highway 99, according to California Highway Patrol.

Officer Eric Zuniga said officers responded at 9:42 p.m. to a call of a traffic collision involving a semi truck and a sedan blocking the number two lane on southbound Highway 99, north of Childs Avenue.

After arriving on scene, responding units discovered the big rig came to rest about 40 feet west of the southbound lanes, north of Childs Avenue in the encampment, located near oleander bushes and railroad tracks, according to the CHP.

Mason Myrick, 25, of Hanford, was driving the big rig in the number two lane north of Childs Avenue. Meanwhile a Cadillac sedan, driven by Omar Govea, 21, of Merced, was traveling in the number one lane.

According to Zuniga, one of the drivers conducted an unsafe lane change, causing the big rig to lose control and veer off the roadway. CHP said it remains under investigation which of the drivers was at fault.

The big rig then struck the man and Crystal Geer, 38, of Merced, who were sleeping in the encampment.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released, pending notification of family or next-of-kin.

Geer received medical attention for minor injuries at scene but refused further treatment, according to the CHP.

The CHP said neither Myrick or Govea were injured and the number two lane of southbound 99 remained closed for a period of time.

Neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision, according to the CHP.

This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 10:34 AM.