Two drivers suffer major injuries in Highway 140 collision near Planada, CHP says

A man and woman were taken to hospitals with major injuries after a collision Sunday on Highway 140 northeast of Planada in Merced County, California Highway Patrol reported.

At about 11:55 a.m., officers responded to Highway 140 and North Cunningham Road for a two-vehicle collision, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga.

Bryan Gonzalez Alvarez, 23, of North Hills, was driving a 2016 Volkswagen sedan northbound on North Cunningham Road approaching the intersection with Highway 140.

Zuniga said it appears Gonzalez Alvarez failed to stop at a posted stop sign. His vehicle continued into the intersection where it collided with a 2018 Audi sedan traveling westbound on Highway 140 driven by Christina Hawley, 43, of Walnut Creek.

The impact caused the Audi to roll and both drivers were flown to Modesto-area hospitals with major injuries that are not life-threatening, according to Zuniga.

The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision which, remains under investigation.