Alleged DUI driver captured after running from head-on crash scene near Merced, CHP says

An Atwater man suspected of DUI was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly ran from the scene of a head-on crash that he caused, according to California Highway Patrol.

At about 6:05 p.m. a CHP officer near Santa Fe Drive just west of Olive Avenue responded to a two-vehicle collision after seeing smoke and fire, according to Officer Eric Zuniga.

The CHP said Luis Chacon Dominguez, 46, was driving a 2002 Ford Mustang east on Santa Fe Drive when for unknown reasons he allowed the vehicle to cross into the oncoming lane.

Zuniga said the Ford collided head-on with a 2017 Nissan van driven west along Santa Fe Drive by Ricardo Chavez, 66, of Ceres.

Authorities said the collision caused the Nissan to overturn and catch fire. The CHP said Chavez was helped out of the vehicle by good Samaritans as it became engulfed in flames.

“Thankfully those good Samaritans were in the area and were able to extricate Mr. Chavez,” Zuniga said.

The responding CHP officer saw Chacon Dominguez fleeing from the scene and running into an orchard. The officer chased after Dominguez and he was arrested, Zuniga said.

Chavez was taken to Mercy Medical Center Merced for treatment of severe non-life-threatening injuries.

Following a field sobriety test, Chacon Dominguez was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of felony DUI causing bodily injury and hit and run causing injury, according to jail records.

The collision remains under investigation.