3 killed in HWY 99 crash in Merced, CHP says

FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- Three people are now dead after a fatal head on collision near Merced.

Several nearby units, including the Merced Sheriff's Office, CHP, and County Fire, responded to the scene around 7:30 Wednesday morning.

CHP is handling the case and they say a Chevy Silverado truck was traveling southbound on the 99 when it suddenly went over the median toward the northbound lanes.

"We don't know the reason why this person traveled off the freeway and crossed into the center median," said Eric Zuniga, California Highway Patrol.

The Chevy crashed head on with a Ford Explorer traveling northbound.

There were two passengers in the Chevy Truck-- a man and woman in their 50's from Modesto. There was one passenger in the Explorer, the Merced County Sheriff's Department said that person was identified as 23-year-old Travis Lindsay from Chowchilla-- all were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Nobody was transported to the hospitals," said Zuniga.

There is no center median where the accident occurred.

Caltrans shut down two northbound lanes, while one remained open to traffic while crews cleaned the scene. Since then all lanes have been re-opened.