Woman dies, infant injured in head-on collision on Interstate 5 in Merced County, CHP says

A woman is dead and an infant suffered major injuries in a head-on crash on an Interstate highway in Merced County.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Interstate 5 and State Route 165 at about 6:24 p.m. on Friday. The CHP said it appears a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling southbound on I-5 when for unknown reasons, the Jeep crossed the grass median into the northbound lanes.

The Jeep collided head-on with a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500. Authorities said a female passenger and a female infant inside the Jeep were ejected. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The infant suffered major injuries and her condition is unknown at this time.

Two occupants inside the Dodge suffered major injuries and were taken to local hospitals. The driver of the Jeep suffered moderate injuries, authorities said.

According to the CHP, it appears alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision.