One teenager killed, another injured in Merced County canal crash

Authorities are investigating after a vehicle crashed into a Merced County canal killing one teenager and injuring another on Sunday.

California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of vehicle crashed into a canal in the area of Snelling and Youd roads at about 7 p.m. Sunday. An initial investigation into the crash determined that a 17-year-old male out of Merced, was driving a 2016 Nissan Altima northbound on Snelling Road just south of Youd Road at an unknown speed with a 16-year-old female passenger, CHP Officer Eric Zuniga said.

For unknown reasons the vehicle veered to the left traveling off the roadway, through a fence and into a canal where it became submerged in water, authorities said. The driver and passenger were extricated from the vehicle by a Cal Fire rescue team, along with personnel from the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Dive and Rescue Team.

Both the driver and passenger were transported to Mercy Medical Center, Zuniga said. The driver was then flown to Valley Children’s Hospital and died of his injuries on Feb. 16. The female passenger suffered moderate injuries.

Authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact CHP Officer Abdiel Enriquez at 209-356-6600.

This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM.