Man killed in crash east of Denair was an Atwater resident, 20, the CHP reports
Speed and an unsafe attempt to pass another vehicle resulted in a crash that killed a 20-year-old Atwater man Monday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred about 3:45 p.m. on Hawkins Road north of Keyes Road, about 10 miles east of Denair. Emergency personnel found two badly damaged vehicles, a 1999 Acura coupe and a 2012 Ford pickup.
The Acura driver, later identified as Atwater resident Miguel Jimenez, was still in the car and unresponsive, the CHP said in a news release. He died at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, Merced resident Mauricio Millanarzate, 32, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Oak Valley Hospital for treatment, the CHP said.
The preliminary investigation indicates Jimenez was southbound on Hawkins Road, driving at a high rate of speed and approaching a slower-moving vehicle. Millanarzate was northbound on Hawkins, approaching the two vehicles.
Jimenez crossed over the double yellow lines to pass the slower vehicle ahead of him, the CHP said. He entered the northbound lane directly into the path of Millanarzate’s pickup, and the two vehicles collided head on.
The Acura came to rest in the northbound lane. The Ford left the east shoulder and overturned onto its right side before coming to rest.
The vehicle that was in front of Jimenez’s Acura apparently was not struck.
Jimenez and Millanarzate both were wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision, the CHP said. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been factors in the crash.
This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 9:05 AM.
