Two separate accidents on Westside roads claimed the lives of a pair of Los Banos residents.
The first wreck occurred on July 12 on Highway 152 near Delta Road, according to the Los Banos office of the California Highway Patrol.
At about 12:20 p.m., a 2009 Mercedes driven by a 16-year-old male from Dos Palos was heading west on Highway 152 in the number one lane approaching Delta Road. At the same time, an 85-year-old male from Los Banos was driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata northbound on Delta as he was attempting to cross both westbound lanes of 152.
A CHP spokesman said for unknown reasons, the driver of the Hyundai stopped but failed to yield to the Mercedes approaching his location.
“The 16-year-old applied the brakes of the Mercedes and turned to the right in an attempt to avoid the Hyundai,” said CHP spokesman Shannon Stiers. “However, the Mercedes collided with the right front passenger door of the Hyundai. Both vehicles continued in a northerly direction through a barbed wire fence and into a field north of 152.”
The driver of the Hyundai sustained major injuries and was transported to Memorial Hospital in Modesto, but succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. He was identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s office as Jose Cintora of Los Banos.
The 16-year-old driver of the Mercedes sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Memorial Hospital in Los Banos.
The second accident took place on July 18 at 4:11 p.m. on Highway 152 east of the Romero Visitor Center.
Stiers said that a 71-year-old male was driving a 2005 Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on 152 in the number one lane at approximately 70 mph just east of the Romero Visitor Center.
“As the driver was negotiating a right-hand curve, the motorcycle traveled off the north road edge,” said Stiers. The motorcycle then went onto the dirt/gravel median and struck a guard rail.
“The driver was wearing a helmet but sustained major injuries due to the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Stiers added.
He was identified by the Merced County Coroner’s office as Frank Castro of Los Banos.
