Driver killed in suspected DUI crash on Highway 99 near Atwater, CHP says

The California Highway Patrol believes DUI was a factor in a solo vehicle crash that killed a 28-year-old Merced man on Highway 99 near Atwater early Monday.

At about 12:54 a.m., officers responded to a collision that happened in a construction zone in the area of northbound Highway 99 just north of the Applegate Road on and off-ramps, according to a CHP news release.

Units arrived on scene just after 1 a.m. and found the driver that had crashed a 2010 BMW 328i into a parked construction vehicle in the closed construction zone along the highway.

Authorities said the BMW sustained extensive damage and the driver of the vehicle succumbed to his injuries at the crash scene.

An investigation determined the driver entered northbound Highway 99 from a closed on-ramp at Applegate Road, according to the CHP.

The BMW continued north along the highway at an unknown speed in a newly-paved section of the closed construction zone. The vehicle reached the end of the newly-paved section, drove off the pavement and continued traveling north on a dirt roadway for about 250 feet, the release said.

The CHP said the front left side of the vehicle struck a concrete K-rail located on the side of the unpaved section of roadway.

It appears the impact caused the vehicle to swerve right and overturn onto the passenger side. Authorities said the roof of the vehicle then struck the parked paving machine, located in the closed construction zone.

The name of the driver has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

CHP said alcohol appears to have been a factor in the collision, which remains under investigation.