The victims were a 55-year-old Turlock man and a 44-year-old Winton man.
Merced County, CA – Two drivers were seriously injured when their trucks collided Tuesday afternoon near Hilmar, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The victims were a 55-year-old Turlock man and a 44-year-old Winton man.
Authorities said the Turlock man was driving a 2016 Freightliner box truck about 55 mph northbound on Highway 165, also known as Lander Avenue, and the Winton man was driving a 2017 Peterbilt semi-truck southbound on Highway 165, transporting about 80,000 pounds of livestock feed.
Investigators said for an unknown reason, the Turlock man allowed his truck to cross over into the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with the semi-truck.
Cal Fire responded to the scene and found both drivers trapped inside their vehicles. The victims were extricated and airlifted to Modesto trauma centers with serious injuries.
Original Story
Merced County, CA – Two truck drivers were airlifted to the hospital after a head-on collision that happened Tuesday afternoon on Highway 165 near Hilmar.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision was reported around 2 p.m. on southbound Highway 165, south of Westside Boulevard.
Investigators said the accident happened when a box truck heading north on the highway swerved into the southbound side and collided head-on with a semi-truck traveling south.
First responders found the drivers of both vehicles trapped in their vehicles.
The victims were extricated and airlifted to Modesto trauma centers with major injuries.
Traffic lanes were closed in the area during the rescue operation and investigation.