MERCED COUNTY: Fatal Crash Highway 140 and Kniebes Road

 MERCED COUNTY: Fatal Crash Highway 140 and Kniebes Road

3 Killed, Driver Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (Oct. 17, 2023) — Three people from the same family died in a head-on crash with a suspected drunken driver last Friday on Highway 140 at Kniebes Road in Merced County.

The deadly crash occurred at around 11 p.m. on Oct. 13th, according to a report by ABC 30 news.

Nicholas Leyva, 67, Maria Leyva, 69, and their great-granddaughter, Celeste Leyva, just three months old, were all killed in the two-vehicle crash. They were traveling together with four other family members in a westbound Ford Expedition.

Authorities say the other driver involved was 40-year-old Robert Pimentel. He was driving a Ford Explorer SUV eastbound on Highway 140.

Police say the Ford Expedition drifted onto the shoulder of the roadway, but its driver overcorrected and traveled into opposing traffic where it hit the Expedition head-on.

The infant girl and her great grandparents all died in the crash. Meanwhile, the other four passengers from the Expedition, along with Pimentel, were all transported by ambulances to a nearby hospital with moderate to major injuries.

Police suspected Robert Pimentel was driving under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested shortly after the deadly crash.

The case remains under investigation.

Finally, there are GoFundMe accounts to help the Leyva family.


Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Furthermore, Johnson Attorneys Group hopes this news information is timely and helpful. Additionally, if you would like to contribute any information, add a GoFundMe page or have legal questions, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Source: ABC 30 News

Download this infographic.

Embed Our Infographic On Your Site!

James Johnson

Website graphic for the California Injury Accident Lawyer

Free Consultation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Connect with us
Copyright © 2023, Johnson Attorneys
Group. All rights reserved.
SEO and Webdesign by Clixsy
CONVENIENT OFFICES 100 Bayview Circle
Suite 5100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Directions
4900 California Ave
Tower B 2nd Floor Ste 18,
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Directions