Passenger killed, driver injured in Merced County rollover crash, CHP says

A passenger was killed and a driver suffered major injuries in a solo-vehicle rollover crash near Snelling in Merced County over the weekend, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At about 12:40 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to the area of La Grange Road north of Fields Road after receiving a report of a rollover crash, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga. Authorities said a 58-year-old Merced man was driving a 2017 Toyota Yaris north on La Grange Road with a 60-year-old male passenger, also from Merced.

For unknown reasons, the vehicle drove off the right shoulder of the roadway and rolled multiple times. Zuniga said neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing a seat belt and both men were ejected from the vehicle.

Authorities said the driver of the vehicle suffer major injuries in the accident and was transported to a Modesto-area hospital for treatment. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Zuniga, authorities suspect intoxication may have been a factor in the crash after officers reportedly located a small amount of drugs and drug paraphernalia on one of the vehicle’s occupants.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked call the Merced Area CHP office at 209-356-6600 and ask to speak with Officer Nile.