On August 23, 2018, at approximately 2145 hours, the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a traffic collision on SR-132 west of Wellsford Road. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Modesto Area Office responded to the scene and investigated
the collision.
During the course of the investigation it was determined an unidentified male was riding Bicycle eastbound on SR-132, west of Wellsford Road at an unknown speed within the traffic lane. At this time the male was wearing dark clothing and the bicycle was not equipped with proper lighting, during the hours of darkness. Ms. Aguilar was driving a 2010 Lexus eastbound on SR-132, west of Wellsford Road at approximately 55 miles per hour approaching the rear of the bicycle. Ms. Aguilar observed the bicycle directly in front of her vehicle and took evasive action in an attempt to avoid a collision but was unsuccessful and the front of the bicycle collided with the rear of the Lexus. As a result of this collision the male rider was ejected from the bicycle and the male rider came to rest on the southern shoulder of SR-132. Upon the arrival of medical personnel, the male rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The unidentified male rider was not wearing a helmet and his bicycle was not equipped with proper lighting. Ms. Aguilar was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor in this collision.
