Driver killed in Highway 99 crash near Delhi identified by Merced County coroner

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a driver killed in a collision on Highway 99 near Delhi on Sunday, as Genaro Uvalle Mendiola, 21, of Ceres, according to Deputy Daryl Allen.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to the collision at about 1:25 a.m. Sunday, on Highway 99 north of Shanks Road. When officers arrived on scene they located Mendiola lying in the No. 1 northbound lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the CHP, it appears Mendiola was driving a 2012 Dodge Ram southbound on Highway 99 when the vehicle entered the median and collided with a “k-rail” bordering the the traffic lanes. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and landed on the highway. Officers located the Dodge which had overturned, in the median on its wheels.

Authorities said Mendiola was then struck by four other vehicles traveling in the northbound lanes. All drivers stopped and called 911, according to the CHP.

Merced-area CHP office asks anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Officer Bautista at 209-356-6600.