Coroner identifies bicyclist struck and killed by vehicle in Merced

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified a bicyclist struck and killed by a vehicle in Merced as 48-year-old Yolanda Marie Rodriguez of Merced, according to Deputy Michael Domingue.

Merced police officers responded to the area of West Childs Avenue between G Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way at about 10 p.m. on Jan 12, for a report of a bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle. When officers arrived on scene, they found Rodriguez lying in the roadway and a vehicle with a large hole in the windshield.

First responders attempted life saving measures, but Rodriguez was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said it appears a 42-year-old Merced woman was driving west on West Childs Avenue when Rodriguez moved directly in front of the vehicle.

Police said it was unclear which direction Rodriguez was traveling at the time of the accident.

The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and cooperated with authorities. Police said it appeared alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision but to what extent was unclear.