Driver killed in Merced County crash identified, authorities say

Authorities are investigating after a Merced resident was killed Monday in a traffic crash at an intersection in Merced County just south of Cressey Way.

Just before 3 p.m., Merced Area California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of the collision in the area of Cressey Way and Eucalyptus Avenue. When units arrived on scene they located the driver of a Toyota coupe pinned inside the vehicle. Emergency crews attempted to extricate the man from the vehicle but he suffered fatal injuries and was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office identified the Toyota driver as Aaron Brian Febres, 37, of Merced.

The CHP said an investigation revealed Ismael Mata Alfaro, 29, of Winton, was driving a 2017 Ford truck north on Cressey Way at about 55 mph. At the same time, Febres was driving the Toyota west along Eucalyptus Avenue approaching the Cressey Way intersection. Merced Area CHP Office Eric Zuniga said there were no passengers inside the Toyota at the time of the collision.

Authorities said it appears Febres did not stop at the posted stop sign and drove directly into the path of the Ford. The front of the Ford struck the Toyota on the vehicle’s driver side. The CHP said neither Alfaro nor his adult male passenger suffered injuries in the collision.

The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the crash.

Zuniga said that anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Investigating Officer Kody Davidson at 209-356-6600.