Pedestrian who died after being struck by vehicle in Winton identified by coroner

A pedestrian who died after being struck by a vehicle in Winton has been identified by the Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office as 73-year-old Gary Lay, according to Merced County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Michelle Oliver.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers responded to the collision in the area of Winton Way and Gerard Avenue at 7:12 p.m. on Nov. 18. According to a CHP preliminary investigation, Lay was walking eastbound across Winton Way in a crosswalk north of Gerard Avenue.

A 2020 Toyota Prius driven by a 73-year-old woman from Atwater was traveling northbound on Winton Way south of Gerard Avenue. For unknown reasons, the driver did not see Lay and the front of the Toyota collided with him.

Lay was transported to a Modesto hospital with serious injuries. The CHP was notified at about 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 19 that he had succumbed to his injuries. Authorities said the driver of the Toyota remained on scene and cooperated with the investigating officers.

According to the CHP, it was determined the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision.