DUI suspected in fatal crash reported near Stevinson in Merced County, CHP says

The California Highway Patrol says DUI is believed to be a factor in a fatal crash reported Friday just west of Stevinson.

At about 9:50 p.m. CHP responded to the area of River Road and Blow Road for a vehicle that crashed into a tree, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga.

The CHP said it appears a 34-year-old Merced man was driving a 1996 Toyota Camry east on River Road just west of Blow Road at an unknown high rate of speed.

For unknown reasons, the vehicle traveled across the westbound lane and off the north shoulder of the roadway where the side of the vehicle collided with and oak tree, according to Zuniga. The driver was the only occupant inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zuniga said the collision remains under investigation. The name of the victim has not been released.