July 10, 2021 - On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at approximately 2354 hours (11:54 P.M.), the Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a call of a traffic collision on Road 427 east of Elliott Drive, with medical personnel responding. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Oakhurst Area responded to the scene and investigated the collision.

During the initial investigation it was determined a 20-year-old male was riding his skateboard, along with two (2) other people, westbound on Road 427, east of Elliott Drive. An unidentified driver was driving an unknown SUV westbound on Road 427, west of Elliott Drive, at an unknown speed, approaching the rear of the skateboarder. While they were riding, the two people in front of the skateboarder heard screeching tires and then an impact from behind them. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle struck the skateboarder, throwing him to the ground. As a result, the skateboarder suffered major injuries. The driver immediately fled the scene, driving the SUV westbound on Road 427. The driver did not stop to check on the skateboarder, nor to wait for law enforcement. Upon the arrival of CHP and other emergency personnel, CPR was performed on the skateboarder; however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

During the investigation, the vehicle of interest could resemble that of a smaller SUV, station wagon or crossover type vehicle. The vehicle could be white or silver, and possibly two-toned, with significant windshield and hood damage.

The CHP Oakhurst Area is requesting the assistance from anyone who may have knowledge of this crash to call the CHP Oakhurst Area office at (559) 658-6590 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498- STOP (7867). Crime Stoppers is in the process putting together a reward.

Source: Oakhurst CHP