Car crashes into Atwater home after pursuit

A car crashed into a home in Atwater early Saturday while trying to elude law enforcement officers during a high-speed chase, authorities reported Sunday.

Three juveniles were arrested after the crash, reported around 1:30 a.m. near Juniper Avenue and Winton Way.

According to the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy tried to stop the vehicle on Winton Way near Olive Avenue on a 1992 Honda Accord for traffic violations.

The driver, who was carrying two passengers, failed to yield and sped away southbound on Winton Way. The deputy pursued the vehicle at speeds reaching 100 mph.

The driver tried to turn east from Winton onto Juniper, but lost control and crashed into the home in the 1800 block of Winton Way.

The car drove through a bedroom wall of the residence. The three juveniles inside the car were taken into custody, deputies said.

A mother and an infant were in the bedroom but were not hurt. Two other small children also were sleeping inside the residence. Deputies said the family members were taken to a hospital for medical issues unrelated to the crash.

Atwater police were handling the crash investigation, while sheriff’s deputies were investigating the pursuit.

This story was originally published January 17, 2015 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Car crashes into Atwater home after pursuit."