Passenger Dies in Deadly 2-Vehicle Crash. One Driver Claimed to Have Fallen Asleep 

August 21, 2025 – Madera CHP officials report that on Monday, August 18, 2025, at approximately 8:40 a.m., CHP Madera officers responded to a crash involving two vehicles, at SR-233 (Robertson Boulevard), and Avenue 22.

A preliminary investigation indicates:

A 19-year-old man from Madera, CA was driving a white 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, southbound on SR-233, north of Avenue 22. A 46-year-old woman from Merced, CA was driving a black 2015 BMW 320i, northbound on SR-233, north of Avenue 22.

The driver of the Chevrolet claimed to have fallen asleep and drifted into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the BMW. After realizing he was traveling wrong way, the 19-year-old swerved back into the southbound lane, while simultaneously the 46-year-old driver took evasive action and swerved into the southbound lane, to avoid being hit by the Chevrolet. The front of the Chevrolet collided with the right side of the BMW. The Chevrolet overturned and came to rest on its left side. The BMW came to rest on its wheels, on the west dirt shoulder. Despite life-saving measures by emergency personnel, the front passenger in the BMW (53-year-old woman from Merced, CA), was pronounced deceased at the scene.

All the parties involved were wearing their seatbelts. Both drivers sustained minor injuries, and the driver of the BMW was transported to Madera Community Hospital. Alcohol and/or drugs were not a factor in this crash.

Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving:

• Yawning or blinking frequently.
• Difficulty remembering the past few miles driven.
• Missing your exit.
• Drifting from your lane.
• Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road.

A driver may also experience micro-sleep – short, involuntary periods of inattention. In the 4 or 5 seconds a driver experiences micro-sleep, at highway speed, the vehicle will travel the length of a football field.

Source & photo: Madera CHP