Deadly 4-Vehicle Accident in Merced County Sparks Search for Hit-And-Run Suspect

A hit-and-run driver is blamed for a fatal chain-reaction accident along Highway 33 in Merced County. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says it happened south of Hulen Road, south of the city of Gustine on Saturday Afternoon June 24, 2023.

ABC30-TV reported the collisions occurred sometime before 1:50 p.m. Investigators found that a southbound driver in an Audi was trying to pass a silver SUV when the driver’s actions forced an oncoming black pickup truck to swerve. The pickup truck struck the SUV head-on.

The SUV came to a stop on the right side of the road and then caught fire. The driver inside the SUV was tragically killed. Two 19-year-olds in the truck were said to have minor injuries, it was not reported if they were taken to the hospital.

A 31-year-old driver in a Ford Mustang ran off the road to avoid the other vehicles and landed in a ditch. The driver wasn’t hurt.

CHP investigators say the driver in the Audi didn’t actually strike any other vehicle but is still being held responsible for what happened. The Audi’s driver fled the scene of the devastating crash and hasn’t been apprehended. Witnesses told the CHP that it was a two-door Audi that was dark blue or grey with tinted windows. If you have information about the hit-and-suspect or the car involved, please call the California Highway Patrol.

Maison Law of Merced also posted some information on this tragic accident and some instructions on how victims may be able to earn support even if a hit-and-run driver isn’t caught.

Hazardous Hit And Run Drivers on Merced County Roads

Motorists trying to pass other drivers on rural highways are responsible for confirming they have the time and space to pass safely. When they make reckless decisions and force others into devastating collisions, those careless drivers can be held fully responsible.

The support of the injured victims in any accident must be the first priority, but when an at-fault driver flees the scene, the victim’s support often gets put off to cause dangerous consequences. Hit-and-run drivers leave victims at the scene where they may wait longer for medical care if no one reports what happened. Heartless hit-and-run drivers can also force victims and their families to have to find support to pay medical bills on their own.

California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) documented 1,614 accidents involving injuries in Merced County in 2022. Those accidents led to at least 60 tragic fatalities for the year.

According to the data collected, 117 of those total accidents involved hit-and-run drivers facing felony charges. Careless drivers must make changes to their driving habits to reduce these troubling numbers. They must also face stiff penalties when they decide to flee the scene of a crime and leave victims alone in their recoveries.

What To Do After a Serious Accident in Merced County

Victims of dangerous hit-and-run accidents and their families are encouraged to stay informed of every benefit available to them. A Merced Car Accident Lawyer will discuss your case with you in a free consultation. This case review is confidential and comes with no obligation to you or your family. In a hit-and-run car collision when a driver isn’t identified, victims and their families may still be able to secure support to help in recovery.