Passenger killed in Highway 33 crash near Gustine identified

The Merced County Coroner’s Office has identified the passenger killed last week in a two vehicle crash near Gustine as Jesus Hernandez, 25, of San Jose.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to the collision off Highway 33 near Sullivan Road at about 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, according to Officer Shannon Stiers.

The CHP said Hernandez was located in the front passenger seat of a 1996 Acura Integra traveling north on Highway 33.

According to authorities, the driver of the vehicle, Lisa Chavez, 23, of San Jose, attempted to make a left turn onto Sullivan Road and for unknown reasons, turned directly in front of a 2017 Nissan Sentra traveling southbound at an unknown speed driven by Luis Cruz, 25 of Santa Nella.

According to authorities, the Sentra impacted the passenger side door of the Integra and Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.

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

This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 5:52 PM.