Merced County, California (February 5, 2026) — A young Central Valley family is grieving after a 21-year-old woman from Turlock was killed Thursday morning in a head-on collision on a fog-shrouded rural roadway in Merced County. Four others, including Steve Pinocchio, 45, of Merced, and three juvenile passengers, were injured in the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The fatal collision occurred amid dense fog conditions, which investigators say played a significant role in how the events unfolded.
Incident Details: According to the California Highway Patrol, Merced County, the crash was reported at approximately 8:31 a.m. on Oakdale Road east of Fisher Road. A preliminary investigation determined that the 21-year-old woman was driving a Toyota Prius eastbound at an unknown speed.
CHP identified the driver of the oncoming vehicle as Steve Pinocchio, who was driving a Chevrolet Suburban westbound at approximately 50 miles per hour. Investigators said the Prius driver attempted to pass slower-moving traffic while traveling through dense fog, entering the westbound lane.
As the Prius moved into the opposing lane, Pinocchio attempted to steer to the right to avoid a collision but was unable to do so in time. The front ends of the two vehicles collided in the westbound lane, resulting in severe damage.
Good Samaritans stopped to help and performed CPR on the Prius driver, but despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene due to her injuries. Her name has not yet been publicly released by authorities.
Pinocchio and three juvenile passengers riding in the Suburban sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported to Mercy Medical Center for treatment. CHP confirmed that Pinocchio remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators.
Authorities stated that alcohol or drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.
Investigation: The California Highway Patrol continues investigating the collision, focusing on sight distance, vehicle positioning, and driver behavior in reduced visibility conditions. Dense fog limits reaction time and depth perception, making passing maneuvers on rural roads risky.
CHP officers will likely analyze physical evidence such as skid marks, debris, and the impact point to reconstruct events, review vehicle data for speed and braking, and consider weather and safety features to determine whether the crash was avoidable.
No citations have been issued, but the investigation remains active, aiming to complete an accurate reconstruction.
Legal Considerations: Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes, often resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries due to the combined force of impact. When visibility is compromised by fog, drivers are expected to exercise heightened caution, including reducing speed and avoiding risky maneuvers such as passing.
From a civil perspective, the family of the young woman who lost her life may consider pursuing a wrongful death claim to address funeral expenses, loss of future income, and the profound emotional loss suffered by her loved ones. For those injured, including Pinocchio and the juvenile passengers, personal injury claims may be necessary to cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery needs.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the young woman who lost her life, and I wish strength and healing to those injured as they recover.
Source: FOX40