Two pedestrians dead after being struck by vehicle in Atwater, police say

Authorities are investigating a vehicle crash that killed two pedestrians in Atwater on Wednesday.

Few details are available at this time.

At about 9:20 a.m., officers responded to a traffic collision near the intersection of E. Juniper Avenue and Augusta Lane in Atwater, according to Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador.

When officers arrived on scene they located a single vehicle traffic collision involving a black Chrysler minivan and two pedestrians, according to Salvador. Police said it appears the vehicle was traveling westbound on Juniper Avenue from North Buhach Road at the time of the collision.

For unknown reasons, the vehicle left the roadway, striking the pedestrians and a light pole. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigating officers.

“We’re in our initial stages of our investigation. East Juniper is going to be closed from Bridgwater to Buhach for the foreseeable future while we conduct out investigation,” said Salvador.

The California Highway Patrol and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office is assisting in the investigation. Authorities ask motorists to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Anyone with information regarding the collision is asked contact the Atwater Police Department at 209-357-6384.

This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 10:50 AM.