Coroner identifies driver killed in fiery Merced County collision

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a man who died Thursday in a fiery crash along Bear Creek Drive as 29-year-old Kevin Nguyen of Fremont, according to Deputy Alexandra Britton.

California Highway Patrol Officers responded to the collision in the area of North Bear Creek Drive west of Parsons Avenue at about 11:10 p.m., according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga.

Authorities said the 2021 BMW sedan was traveling west on North Bear Creek Drive when the vehicle left the roadway for unknown reasons and collided with several large trees. Zuniga said the vehicle became engulfed in flames shortly after the collision with the driver still inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the BMW is also believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run property damage collision prior to the deadly crash. Zuniga said that just minutes before the fiery collision, the BMW reportedly rear-ended a 2023 Honda Civic as both vehicles were traveling south on McKee Road just north of North Bear Creek Drive.

The collision resulted in minor damage to the Honda. The driver of the Honda was not injured.

According to the CHP, it is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the fatal collision, which remains under investigation.