[03-16-2025] Merced County, CA – Good Samaritan Killed While Assisting DUI Crash Victims on Highway 99 in Atwater

A man was fatally struck while helping crash victims on Highway 99 in Atwater early Sunday morning, March 16, 2025. 

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers received a call at 4:10 a.m. regarding a crash on southbound Highway 99, north of Westside Boulevard.

Investigators reported that 22-year-old Sincere C. of Atwater was driving a GMC Acadia southbound at an unknown speed when he veered left, crashing into the guardrail and coming to rest in the No. 1 lane.

An unidentified man stopped in the center median and attempted to assist the GMC driver and his passengers.

Approximately eight minutes later, CHP said 23-year-old Yessica P. of Merced was driving a Honda Civic in the No. 1 lane at an unknown speed and failed to see the disabled GMC.

The front of the Honda collided with the left rear of the GMC before striking the good Samaritan, who was standing near the right side of the vehicle while assisting a passenger. Both vehicles became disabled, blocking the highway’s southbound lanes.

The man sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following an evaluation, officers determined that both drivers were under the influence. The GMC driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI and transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. His two passengers were also hospitalized with moderate to major injuries.