Loved ones identify victim of Merced County Jeep crash as beloved youth sports coach

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A North Valley community is mourning the loss of a beloved youth sports coach.

Family members have identified Emeterio Cuevas Senior of Dos Palos as the man who died in a Jeep accident in a remote area of Merced County early Saturday morning.

The 59-year-old coached several youth sports and recently helped lead his undefeated Little League baseball team to a championship.

Friends say he loved coaching all of the children in his community, but especially his grandchildren.

They describe him as a one-of-a-kind mentor who would stay late after games and practices to ensure every child had a ride home.

Authorities say Cuevas was with two other men in a modified Jeep about three miles from the Mercey Hot Springs resort Saturday when the vehicle started rolling backwards while trying to go up a hill on an unpaved road.

The Jeep ultimately rolled over, ejecting all three men.

Cuevas was killed.

Another passenger climbed down the hill while injured to call 911.

The driver was flown to a hospital with major injuries.

Family members have started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses and to support Cuevas's grieving widow.