Authorities identify pedestrian struck and killed on Merced County highway

A pedestrian who was struck and killed by vehicles on Highway 99 in Merced County has been identified by the Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office as 36-year-old Derek Ramirez, according to Deputy Michael Domingue.

California Highway Patrol officers responded a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the southbound lanes of Highway 99, south of Sultana Drive, shortly before 9:30 p.m. Dec. 13.

. According to the CHP, a 33-year-old man driving a Ford van in the No. 2 southbound lane attempted to avoid the pedestrian but was unable to do so. Authorities said the Ford struck the pedestrian, who then appeared to have been struck by several other vehicles.

According to authorities, it is unclear why Ramirez was on the highway at the time of the collision. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the CHP Merced Area Office at 209-356-6600 or 209-356-2900 if calling after business hours.

This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 1:27 PM.