Driver suffers major injuries in collision with tractor in Merced County, CHP says

A Livingston man suffered major injuries in a collision with a tractor in Merced County on Tuesday, according to authorities.

At about 4:54 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers responded to the area of Westside Boulevard and Griffith Avenue for a collision between a sedan and a tractor, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga.

Authorities said a 31-year-old Livingston man was driving a 1999 Toyota Corolla east on Westside Boulevard. For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered across the oncoming lane and collided with cultivation equipment attached to a New Holland tractor along the side of the westbound lane of Westside Boulevard.

According to Zuniga, it appears the tractor was driving along the shoulder of the roadway and the equipment was not protruding into the oncoming lane.

The driver of the Toyota was flown to a Modesto hospital with unspecified major injuries to his upper body. According to Zuniga, he is believed to be in serious condition. The CHP has not yet released the name of the sedan driver. The driver of the tractor, Roberto Cervantes, did not report any injuries in the collision, the CHP said.

According to Zuniga, neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

This story was originally published April 19, 2022 at 5:55 PM.