Two Modesto residents identified as those killed in wrong-way collision in Merced
Two Modesto residents have been identified as those killed in a head-on collision near Atwater early Thanksgiving morning, according to the Merced County Coroner’s Office.
Bryant Noyola, 22, and Norma Rodriguez, 49, were killed when Noyola, driving a 2002 Hyundai Elantra the wrong direction on Highway, collided with a Chevy Tahoe at about 4:15 a.m.
The Tahoe flipped onto its roof and caught. Its driver, 43-year-old Modesto resident Gonzalo Ahumbra, and two rear passengers escaped the vehicle as it burned. California Highway Patrol officers pulled Rodriguez from the Tahoe, but she died from her injuries.
Both Rodriguez and Noyola were pronounced dead at the scene.
Ahumbra suffered major injuries. His other passengers, Mountain View resident Cecilia Jimenez, 19, and a 17-year-old Modesto girl, suffered moderate injuries. All were taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.
The preliminary investigation indicated that Noyola was traveling north in the southbound lanes between 80 and 90 mph when his Hyundai hit the Tahoe, which was going about 65 mph.
CHP officers initially received a call regarding a wrong-way driver, but moments later were informed there had been a collision north of Westside Boulevard.
As of Monday, it had not been determined if Noyola was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
