On 12/30/2018, at approximately 1044 hours, the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a report of a collision on W. 16th Street, south of SR-99. Emergency personnel was requested and responded to the collision scene.
The driver was driving a 2015 Ford-Fiesta eastbound on 16th Street under the SR-99 O/C, when its driver, 43 year old Atwater resident, for an unknown reason, allowed his vehicle to leave the north roadway edge and collide head on with a concrete support pillar. The driver was the only occupant. The collision resulted in the Ford becoming fully engulfed in flames. The driver was pulled from the vehicle by passing motorists. According to witnesses, the vehicle had been traveling at approximately 70 to 75 MPH prior to striking the concrete pillar. No other vehicles came into conflict with the Ford. No braking or evasive actions were observed by the witness. Although CPR was performed on scene by Officer Carvajal and Officer Moran, the driver was pronounced deceased at 1050 hours. The driver was properly seat-belted.
Drugs/Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this collision.