Boy, 15, suspected of DUI in major injury crash near Merced, CHP says

A juvenile has been charged with driving under the influence following a major injury crash Sunday in a rural area east of Merced, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers responded to the collision at about 4:30 p.m. near East Gerard Avenue and South Arboleda Drive, according to Officer Eric Zuniga.

Zuniga said a Ford Explorer driven by a 15-year-old male from Planada, was traveling eastbound on East Gerard Avenue, west of South Arboleda Drive at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle left the roadway and traveled onto the southbound shoulder, overturned and collided with a power pole knocking down power lines.

According to the CHP, passenger Francisco Rodriguez Miranda, 18, of Planada, sustained major injuries. He was taken by helicopter to a Modesto area hospital.

Zuniga said the juvenile driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving without a license.

The juvenile was taken to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries and released into the care of his parents after juvenile hall declined booking due to COVID-19, according to Zuniga.

A section of East Gerard Avenue was closed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company to allow for repairs, according to authorities.

This story was originally published July 27, 2020 at 12:53 PM.