Big rig driver killed in crash with man suspected of DUI identified by Merced coroner

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the driver of a big rig killed in a collision with a suspected DUI driver in Merced as 55-year-old Gerardo Gonzalez of Sacramento, according to Deputy Alexandra Britton.

The collision occurred Monday night on southbound Highway 99 just north of O Street at around 11:23 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Authorities said Gonzalez was driving a 2021 International big rig traveling southbound on Highway 99 in the No. 2 lane at about 55 mph.

According to the CHP, 35-year-old Anthony Carrasco of Ceres was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe at a high rate of speed southbound and attempted the pass the big rig on the right shoulder. While attempting to pass the big rig, the Chevrolet became wedged between the big rig and the guardrail. This caused the big rig to jackknife to the right and overturn down an embankment.

Authorities said Gonzalez was pinned inside the cab of the big rig and died at the scene. Carrasco was evaluated for DUI and arrested, the CHP said. Carrasco was not injured in the collision and following medical clearance he was booked into Merced County Jail.

This story was originally published March 7, 2023 at 5:20 PM.