Two people killed in suspected DUI crash off Santa Fe Drive in Atwater, says CHP
Two people are dead after a suspected DUI crash reported late Friday evening off Santa Fe Drive and Spaceport Entry near Atwater, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A 2012 Honda driven by a 56-year old woman from Merced was traveling westbound on Santa Fe Drive when it was rear ended by a 2012 Lexus ES350, driven by a King Vanga, 20, of Atwater, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga.
The collision caused the Honda to spin out in the eastbound lanes and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The Honda driver and her 56-year old male passenger from Merced had been trapped in the vehicle.
Law enforcement pronounced the driver and passenger dead at the scene. Their names have not been released, pending notification of family or next-of-kin.
The collision caused the Lexus to veer northwest, crash into a chain-link fence and overturn. Vanga suffered moderate injuries.
CHP officers determined that Vanga was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collision. Vanga was arrested and booked in the Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicle manslaughter.
This story was originally published June 25, 2021 at 11:13 PM.
