On 06/17/2019, at approximately 1400 hours, the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a traffic collision on SR-152 westbound west of Patton Rd, with medical personnel responding. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Los Banos Area Office responded to the scene and investigated the collision.
During the course of the investigation it was determined a 49 year old female was driving a 1997 Mercury eastbound in the westbound lanes on SR-152 in the number 1 lane at an unknown speed. Ms. Gallo was driving a 2014 Honda westbound on SR-152, in the number 1 lane at approximately 72 miles per hour, approaching the Mercury head on. Mr. Sharma was driving a 2014 Volvo westbound SR-152 in the number 2 lane at approximately 50-55 miles per hour. Ms. Gallo observed the Mercury in her lane and moved the Honda to the left in an attempt to avoid a collision, and unable to, collided with the Mercury. As a result of the initial collision, the Mercury traveled to its left and collided with the Volvo. The impact with the Volvo caused the Mercury to split into two halves and the 49 year old female was ejected from the Mercury.
The female driver succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Ms. Gallo was transported by helicopter to Memorial North Hospital in Modesto, CA with major injuries.