Police investigating fatal north Merced crash. Here’s what might’ve saved driver’s life

Update:

Police are investigating a one-car crash that left a man dead Tuesday morning on a north Merced residential street.

The crash happened about 4:45 a.m. on Dunn Road between Crescendo Avenue and North Gardner Avenue, Merced Police Sgt. Dan Dabney said. A silver Mercedes-Benz was westbound on Dunn when the driver, a 43-year-old male who was alone in the car, apparently lost control and hit a tree and a concrete wall.

The car overturned.

Dabney said the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not release the name of the driver pending notification of family.

According to Dabney, based on evidence at the scene, police believe the vehicle was traveling at speeds in excess of 60 mph before the crash.

Due to the width of the road which is bordered by concrete walls and lack of homes along the road in the area of the crash, Dabney said it may lead to vehicles traveling at faster than normal speeds.

Here is our original report:

Merced police are investigating a fatal crash reported Tuesday morning in the northern section of the city, just east of Davenport Park.

Details are preliminary. The crash was reported on Dunn Road between Gardner and Cresendo avenues. There was an overturned car in the area, and police blocked off the area with yellow crime scene tape.

Police closed traffic on Dunn Road immediately following the crash, according to Sgt. Dan Dabney.

“This is an active crime scene,” Dabney said. “This is a harsh reminder that speed kills.”

This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 9:52 AM.