CHP investigating fiery Merced County crash that left one man dead

A fiery rollover crash that left one man dead in Merced County over the weekend is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

A Merced County sheriff’s deputy on patrol noticed a vehicle on fire in an orchard along El Capitan Way just east of Sycamore Street near Delhi at about 3 a.m. Sunday, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Eric Zuniga.

According to Zuniga, it appears a 1998 Ford Ranger driven by an unidentified man struck multiple trees in the orchard on the north side of El Capitan Way and at some point the vehicle caught fire with the driver inside.

Cal Fire responded to the fire and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Zuniga said the cause and time of the crash and the vehicle’s direction of travel remain under investigation.

The cause of death remains under investigation as well.

The CHP asks anyone with information regarding this incident to contact CHP Officer Ramon Perez at 209-356-6600.

This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM.