[04-30-2024] Merced County, CA – One Person Killed, Three Others Injured Following Single-Vehicle Rollover Crash Along Highway 152

One person was killed, while three others were injured following a single-vehicle rollover crash in Merced County on Tuesday afternoon, April 30, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal accident happened at about 3:54 p.m. on State Route 152, west of Harmon Road.

CHP reports that 52-year-old Mario R. from Los Banos was driving westbound on the No. 1 lane of SR 152 with three passengers. Witnesses told officers that the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed.

For some reason, he lost control of his vehicle, a 2003 GMC, causing it to swerve onto the No. 2 lane and subsequently off the shoulder of the highway. The vehicle then fell down a dirt embankment and rolled over multiple times, injuring everyone inside.

It has been confirmed that one of the passengers suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. The two other passengers, both men, sustained moderate injuries and were taken to Los Banos Memorial Hospital to recover. Mario R., the driver, also had moderate injuries.

Further details were not immediately available. CHP is still looking for clues to establish the possible factors leading up to the deadly incident, as alcohol and drugs were ruled out.

The investigation is ongoing.