Driver suspected of DUI following major injury crash in Merced County, CHP says

A driver has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a major injury collision in Merced County on Sunday.

The CHP responded to the collision at about 1:45 p.m. in the area of 3rd Avenue and Edminster Road, west of Stevinson.

According to Merced-area CHP officer Eric Zuniga, the collision occurred when a 2000 GMC Sierra traveling south on Edminster overturned after it was struck by a 2002 Dodge Caravan traveling east on 3rd, causing the GMC to overturn.

Authorities said it appears the driver of the GMC, Mario Alberto Hernandez, 31, of Stevinson, failed to stop at a posted stop sign and yield to traffic at the intersection with 3rd Avenue. The driver of the Dodge, Joseph Lewis, 50, of Turlock, was flown to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for treatment of major injuries.

Zuniga said Hernandez was not injured in the collision and he was placed under arrest on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. He was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Merced for medical clearance before being booked into Merced County Jail.

According to jail records, he was in custody Monday in lieu of $200,000 bond.

The collision remains under investigation.

This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 11:28 AM.