Los Banos, CA – In the early hours of Tuesday, April 14, 2026, a collision resulted in a pedestrian losing their life near Merced College, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 3:01 AM on State Route 152 near the college entrance.
Authorities said a silver Hyundai SUV struck a pedestrian on the roadway, and a second vehicle also struck the pedestrian in the same incident. AMR was notified and responded to the scene. The Merced County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to respond in its capacity as coroner at approximately 3:10 AM.
Caltrans was notified and westbound State Route 152 was closed at Badger Flat while emergency personnel worked the scene. Los Banos Police Department was contacted to assist with traffic management. The number one lane was subsequently reopened while the number two lane remained closed during the investigation. CAL FIRE was later requested to hose down the roadway following the conclusion of emergency operations.
No additional details regarding the identity of the deceased had been released at the time of reporting. The investigation remains ongoing.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Drivers have a duty of care towards pedestrians, which includes being vigilant for those travelling by foot and, if a collision occurs, staying with the victim, alerting emergency responders, and cooperating with authorities investigating the crash.
For those who lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident, filing a wrongful death claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney can provide compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and other related damages.
