Merced street race ends with car crashing into home

A south Merced street race between two cars reported early Monday morning ended with one vehicle crashing through a home and the other flipping over in a nearby field, according to Merced police.

The occupants of the home weren’t hurt.

Police said the three people taken to area hospitals after the crash were occupants of the vehicles. One of the drivers was arrested after being treated.

Officers believe both drivers had been drinking alcohol and were speeding at the time of the crash.

Sergio Flores, 20, of Merced, was driving a white 1998 Volkswagen Jetta southbound on R Street at a high rate of speed, according to police. Jose Morales, 20, of Merced, was driving a green 1994 Honda Civic del Sol southbound in the northbound lanes of R Street, officers said, also at a high rate of speed.

Police said the two vehicles were street racing southbound on R Street approaching Childs Avenue. Both vehicles continued south on R Street without stopping for the posted stop sign at the intersection, according to a police press release.

Flores drove the Volkswagen over the west curb and into a residence at 61 S. R St., officers said. The Volkswagen went all the way through the house, exiting on the opposite side.

The Volkswagen came to a stop after hitting a black 1999 BMW that was in the home’s driveway, police said.

Morales drove the Honda through the front yard of the R Street home, hitting a fence, officers said. The Honda then flipped in the air and landed on its roof in an adjacent field.

Morales and a female passenger in the Honda were taken to a Modesto hospital for treatment, police said.

After being treated at a local hospital, Flores was booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of felony DUI.

Police said the Red Cross is helping the occupants of the home find a place to stay. The case is still under investigation, and Morales and Flores may face additional charges, police said.

This story was originally published January 19, 2015 at 9:03 AM with the headline "Merced street race ends with car crashing into home."