Possible DUI in Merced Injures Two

In an article appearing on the Merced Sun-Star website, authorities with the California Highway Patrol report that a possible DUI incident along State Route 165 in Merced County sent two people to the hospital on Sunday.

According to the statement released by the CHP, dispatchers received a call at approximately 12:35 a.m. regarding an accident that happened in the northbound lanes near the intersection of State Route 165 and Westside Boulevard. 

In a statement, CHP Officer Sgt. Danny Bowen told reporters that a 19-year-old woman had been heading northbound in a Dodge Charger. With her was a 20-year-old male passenger. Both driver and passenger were reportedly from Modesto. 

When the driver approached a curve along SR 165, she failed to negotiate the turn and continued straight.  The car left the roadway and collided with an electric utility pole before coming to a stop. The force of the impact caused the power pole to fall and pull down a second utility pole.  Power and phone lines fell on top of the vehicle and onto the roadway. 

The incident caused both power and telephone outages in the immediate area.

CHP officers responding to the scene of the accident noted that the driver displayed several behaviors consistent with someone driving under the influence. The young woman was placed under arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Both the driver and passenger were taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries they suffered in the crash. Authorities had not yet released their identities or current condition at the time of the report. 

This is a developing story.

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