Mustang driver speeding at 120 mph on foggy Hwy 152 hits garbage truck and dies, CHP says

A driver was killed in a fiery high-speed collision Saturday east of Los Banos, according to authorities.

At about 6:58 a.m., officers responded to a collision involving a 2021 Ford Mustang and 2020 Autocar garbage truck at the intersection of Highway 152 and Delta Road in Merced County, according to a California Highway Patrol news release.

Authorities said an investigation determined the Mustang was traveling westbound on Highway 152 in the left lane approaching the intersection of Delta Road at more than 120 mph during foggy conditions with visibility between 500 to 700 feet.

The garbage truck, driven by Rodriguez Sanchez, 42, of Modesto, was traveling southbound on Delta Road at a stop sign with Highway 152. According to the CHP, due to the Mustang’s unsafe speed, inadequate lighting and foggy conditions, Sanchez was unable to see the car rapidly approaching and drove into the intersection.

The front of the Mustang collided with the left side of the garbage truck causing the truck to overturn onto the right side. The Mustang became fully engulfed in flames and the driver suffered fatal injuries, according to the CHP.

The identify of the deceased has not been released pending notification of family.

Sanchez was not injured in the collision. According to the CHP, neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision which remains under investigation.

This story was originally published November 14, 2022 at 11:32 AM.