Authorities identify passenger killed in Merced County head-on collision

Authorities have identified a female passenger who was killed in a December 2024 Merced County head-on collision as Concepcion Montellano. An infant passenger also died of injuries suffered in the crash, Merced County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Domingue said. Authorities have not released the name of the child.

The California Highway Patrol said the collision occurred on Interstate 5 near Sate Route 165 shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 20. Montellano, 32, and the infant were passengers in a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling south on I-5. For unknown reasons, the Jeep crossed a grass median and traveled into the northbound lanes where it collided head-on with a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500, the CHP said.

Both Montellano and the infant were ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Montellano was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the infant suffered major injuries in the collision and was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Authorities said the driver of the Jeep suffered moderate injuries in the collision and two occupants in the Dodge were transported to hospitals for treatment of major injuries.

Leonardo Lopez-Lazara, 31, of Reno, Nevada, was arrested on Dec. 21, 2024 in connection with the fatal collision, according to Los Banos CHP Sgt. Chris Smith. Jail records show Lopez-Lazara was arrested on suspicion of felony gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI combined alcohol and drug causing bodily injury as well as an infraction for driving without a license.

This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM.