Driver dies in Merced County collision that involved a pair of big-rig trucks, CHP says
One person died after a weekend collision involving two big rigs hauling tomato trailers east of Santa Nella in Merced County, according to authorities.
About 11:44 p.m. Saturday, the Merced Communications Center received numerous calls about a crash involving two vehicles in the area of Henry Miller Avenue east of Cherokee Road, according to a California Highway Patrol news release.
Authorities said a preliminary investigation shows 32-year-old Alonso De Jesus Lara of Madera was driving east on Henry Miller Avenue at about 55 mph in a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia hauling two trailers of tomatoes. At the same time, a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia driven by a 36-year-old man from Cantua Creek was going west on Henry Miller with two empty trailers.
According to the CHP, it appeared that the right tires on the truck driven by De Jesus Lara drifted onto the south shoulder. This caused him to lose control of the rear trailer, which veered into the westbound lane.
The front of the 2020 Freightliner collided with the rear trailer being hauled by De Jesus Lara. Authorities said the 36-year-old driver of the 2020 Freightliner was pronounced dead at the scene. De Jesus Lara did not report any injuries in the collision.
The identity of the other driver has not been released pending notification of family.
According to the CHP, neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor in the collision.
