21-year-old dead in Merced County crash, CHP says

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A 21-year-old man died in a crash on Interstate 5 in Merced County Tuesday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP says around 11 p.m. officers responded to Interstate 5, north of Nees Avenue.

Investigators say a 21-year-old man was driving a 2020 Dodge southbound I-5, north of Nees Avenue at a high rate of speed.

A 38-year-old man was driving a 2023 Volvo southbound I-5, north of Nees Avenue stopped in traffic.

CHP says for an unknown reason, the driver of the Dodge failed to notice the stopped traffic and swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid a crash.

The left front of the Dodge struck the right rear of the Volvo’s rear trailer causing major damage to the Dodge and moderate damage to the Volvo’s rear trailer.

The driver of the Dodge sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The passenger in the Dodge had major injuries to her left leg and was transported by air to Memorial North Hospital in Modesto.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.

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