Merced County, CA – On March 22, 2025, at approximately 12:19 am Merced Communication Center (MCC) received a report of crash with no details in the area of State Route 165 south of Turner Avenue. Upon arrival on scene, CHP officers determined this to be a two-vehicle head on crash with two fatalities. Preliminary investigation determined Melissa Rosales, 20, of Los Banos, CA, was driving a 2014 BMW SUV at a high rate of speed southbound on State Route 165 south of Turner Avenue. A 41-year-old adult male out of Ceres was driving a 2016 Honda Accord at an undetermined speed northbound on State Route 165, south of Turner Avenue. A male juvenile was also traveling in the front side passenger of the Honda. As the vehicles approached each other, for unknown reasons Ms. Rosales failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, crossed over solid double yellow lines into the northbound lane of State Route 165 and crashed her BMW head on into the Honda. Both occupants of the Honda sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and succumbed to their injuries at the crash scene. Ms. Rosales sustained major injuries as a result of the crash and was transported by air to Doctor’s Medical Center, Modesto, CA. All occupants were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Ms. Rosales was determined to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and was subsequently arrested for Felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
This traffic crash is under investigation, for media inquiries please contact Public Information Officer Eric C. Zuniga at (209) 356-6608. If anyone has information regarding this crash, you can contact Investigating Officer Rolando Flores at (209) 356-6600.
