Solo Fatal Crash into Bear Creek in Merced 

July 15, 2026 – Merced, CA – Merced CHP officials report that on July 13, 2026, at approximately 4:50 p.m., the Merced Communications Center received a report of a possible vehicle submerged in Bear Creek in the city of Merced. CHP officers and emergency personnel responded to South Bear Creek Road, east of Piedmont Drive, and located a vehicle overturned onto its roof and fully submerged in Bear Creek.

Emergency personnel extricated an adult male from the vehicle. Unfortunately, the driver appeared to have been submerged for an extended period of time and was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other occupants were found in the vehicle.

Investigators determined that, at an unknown date and time, a 45-year-old man from Merced was driving a 2002 Toyota Avalon westbound on South Bear Creek Road, east of Piedmont Drive, at an unknown speed. For reasons still under investigation, the driver traveled off the roadway and overturned into Bear Creek.

This traffic crash remains under investigation, and it is unknown at this time whether alcohol and/or drugs were factors in the crash.

For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer Eric C. Zuniga at (209) 356-6608. Anyone with information regarding this traffic crash or the events leading up to it is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Sage Featherstone at (209) 356-6600.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

Source: Merced CHP