Authorities identify driver killed in crash with big rig in Merced County

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the driver killed in a collision with a big rig in Merced County as Miguel Angel Navarrete, 27, of Coalinga.

Los Banos area California Highway Patrol officers responded just after 9 a.m. Jan. 16, to the crash which occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, south of Taglio Road. Authorities said it appears Navarrete was the driver of a 2011 BMW that was traveling in the number one northbound lane of Interstate 5 behind a 2022 International truck with a trailer.

As the big rig was slowing and coming to a stop for traffic ahead, the BMW failed to slow down and crashed into the rear of the trailer, causing the vehicle to become lodged beneath the trailer, the CHP said. The BMW sustained major front-end damage in the crash and Navarrete was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM.