Merced County Coroner identifies driver killed in high-speed collision near Los Banos

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the driver killed Saturday in a high-speed traffic collision east of Los Banos as Zeferino Alvarado, 19, of Dos Palos, according to Deputy Alexandra Britton.

California Highway Patrol reported the two-vehicle collision occurred 6:58 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 152 and Delta Road.

According to the CHP, Alvarado was driving a 2021 Ford Mustang west on Highway 152 approaching Delta Road at more than 120 mph during foggy conditions. The driver of a garbage truck that was traveling southbound on Delta Road entered the intersection.

According to the CHP, the driver of the truck was not able to see the Mustang rapidly approaching due to the Mustang’s unsafe speed, inadequate lighting and the foggy conditions.

The Mustang collided with the left side of the truck, causing the truck to overturn onto its side. The Mustang reportedly caught fire and Alvarado died of his injuries.

Authorities said the driver of the truck was not injured.

This story was originally published November 15, 2022 at 4:53 PM.