Merced County Coroner identifies passenger killed in Highway 152 collision

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a man killed in a collision east of Los Banos on Highway 152 last week as Carlos Velazquez, believed to be 33 to 34 years of age, according to Deputy Daryl Allen.

According to authorities, the two-vehicle collision resulted in four people being transported to the hospital. On Friday, California Highway Patrol officers responded to the crash on Highway 152 near Cozzi Avenue at 12:52 p.m.

The CHP said the driver of a 2004 Toyota Sequoia struck the rear of a 2012 Honda Accord while driving westbound on Highway 152. As a result of the collision, the Honda crashed into the center divide and the Toyota left the roadway and entered an empty irrigation ditch.

Authorities said Velazquez was ejected from Toyota and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Toyota was occupied by seven people and two passengers, some of whom suffered major injures. They were taken to a Modesto-area hospital and the driver, who suffered minor injuries, was transported to a Los Banos hospital, according to the CHP.

The female driver of the Honda reportedly suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 11:17 AM.