[02-14-2023] Merced County, CA – Three Killed in Multi-Car Rollover Crash near Los Banos

Three people were killed in a multi-vehicle and rollover collision near Los Banos in Merced County on Tuesday afternoon, February 14, 2023.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred around 4:00 p.m. on Highway 152 west of Hilldale Road, south of Santa Nella and west of Los Banos.

A Toyota Tacoma was reportedly traveling west on the highway, and beside it was a Toyota Highlander. On the eastbound lane was a Mercedes driven by a Long Beach resident that veered across the highway’s dirt median after the driver lost control of the car.

The Mercedes overturned on top of the Tacoma, scattering parts of both cars onto the Highlander. Its driver was airlifted to a nearby hospital after sustaining severe injuries. The Highlander’s occupants were reportedly unharmed.

Inside the Tacoma were three people and all of them were declared dead on the spot. No further details on the identities of all people involved were immediately available.

As the investigation into what caused the crash continues, authorities do not think alcohol or drugs played a role in the deadly collision.

Fatal Multi-Vehicle Accident Statistics

California in 2020 saw 3,847 people killed in automobile accidents. There were 2,260 single-car accidents (representing 59% of all fatalities) and 1,587 accidents involving two or more cars (41%).

Approximately 1,378 people were killed in cars (36%), while 674 were killed in SUVs and pickup trucks (18%). About a quarter (26% or 986) were pedestrians, 14% (539) were motorcyclists, 3% (129) were cyclists, and 1% (25) were in heavy trucks.

Despite accounting for less than half of the total, crashes involving two or more cars accounted for 77% of all injuries and 71% of wreck injuries. Accidents involving at least two vehicles in angle collisions have caused the deaths or injuries of over 8,000 people.

What to Do After a Car Accident

In the event of a car accident, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities. Give the authorities straightforward answers, not assumptions, if you are questioned. Although they may have done nothing wrong, some victims may feel they must apologize. Insurers may use such behavior as evidence against a claim.

A copy of the report can be requested by contacting the relevant authorities. To have us send the inquiry on your behalf, please fill out the online form on our site. We can begin working on your case as soon as we get the report. If you’d like a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim, please get in contact with us right away.

Car Accident Lawyers in Merced County

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident and you think you may have a personal injury or wrongful death case, we encourage you to contact our highly regarded attorneys for a free consultation. If you need legal assistance with an insurance claim, don’t hesitate to give our office a call.

Our trusted Merced County car accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi Esq., have the recognition and vast experience to advocate for accident victims, with awarded compensation totaling $500 million as of yet. Contact (888) 488-1391 or click the “Do I Have a Case?” on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.