Driver killed in Merced County rollover crash, CHP says

Authorities are investigating a rollover crash that killed a driver in Merced County over the weekend.

Just after 4 a.m. Saturday, California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of an accident in the area of Highway 99 and Le Grand Road, according to CHP officer Eric Zuniga. The CHP said a man was driving a 2016 Kia Soul northbound on Highway 99 just north of Le Grand when the vehicle traveled off the right shoulder of the roadway and overturned several times.

According to Zuniga, it appears the man was not wearing a seat belt, which resulted in him being ejected from the vehicle during the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zuniga said the cause of the collision remains under investigation and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Merced-area CHP office at 209-356-6600.