Driver, passenger killed in Merced County collision near Santa Nella identified by coroner

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a driver and passenger killed in a Merced County collision on Wednesday as 17-year-old Elias Flores and 24-year-old Carlos Galindo, both of Dos Palos, according to Deputy Daryl Allen.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers responded to the collision around 2:30 p.m. in the area of Fahey Road and Cherokee Road, north of Santa Nella.

The CHP said Flores was driving a 2010 Nissan Versa with right front passenger Galindo, westbound on Fahey Road at about 65 to 70 mph.

As the vehicle entered a left hand curve, the driver lost control of the Nissan which traveled off the north edge of the roadway and struck a PG&E power pole, according to a CHP news release.

Authorities said both Flores and Galindo who were not wearing seat belts, sustained fatal injuries in the collision and were pronounced dead at the scene.

The CHP said a second collision occurred when a 23-year-old Dos Palos man driving a 1997 Honda Civic behind the Nissan, saw the crash and lost control as he applied the brakes.

The driver lost control of the Honda and left the roadway where it struck a metal guardrail and overturned into an irrigation canal. According to the CHP, the man was able to exit the vehicle before it became completely submerged.

The driver of the Honda sustained minor injuries.