Pedestrian struck and killed on Highway 99 on-ramp in Merced County

The California Highway Patrol is investigating after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on a highway on-ramp in Merced County.

At about 8:14 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the collision on the northbound Highway 99 on-ramp from Highway 140 in the City of Merced., Merced area CHP Officer Eric Zuniga said. A 52-year-old Merced woman was driving a 2006 Ford Expedition on Highway 140 and attempting to drive onto the on-ramp to join northbound Highway 99, when the vehicle collided with an adult male pedestrian, authorities said.

Zuniga said the vehicle was traveling at an unknown speed and it appears the driver did not see the pedestrian who was wearing dark clothing and traveling in an eastward direction across the ramp at the time of the collision.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said there appears to be a lack off lighting in the area where the collision occurred.

“There’s some street lighting, but it’s not very well lit,” Zuniga said.

The CHP said the driver did not show any signs of intoxication, remained on scene and cooperated with authorities. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact CHP Officer Gabriel Bautista at 209-356-6600.