Wrong-way crash on Highway 99 leaves one dead, four injured south of Hammatt Avenue
MERCED, CA, (July 21, 2025) - A 21-year-old Elk Grove man, Darrion Thompson, was killed early Monday morning after driving the wrong way on Highway 99 and crashing into two vehicles near Livingston in Merced County.
Darrion Thompson was killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 99 near Hammatt Avenue; four passengers were hospitalized.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Thompson was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu southbound in the northbound fast lane just south of Hammatt Avenue around 2 a.m. when he collided head-on with a 2020 Toyota Camry. His vehicle then struck the trailer of a big rig. Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Four of Thompson’s passengers were taken to a local hospital with unspecified injuries. The drivers of the Camry and the big rig were not injured.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
In 2023, an estimated 2.2 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents across the United States, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
As authorities work to determine the cause and liability in this crash, Candice Bond, a seasoned accident attorney and Managing Partner at Bond Legal, emphasized the importance of conducting an independent investigation.
“While law enforcement does a thorough job, an experienced attorney can go further—re-interviewing key witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and securing phone and texting records that may shed light on the events leading up to the crash,” said Bond, who also serves as a national analyst for The Legal Advocate.
She added, “Time is critical in these cases. Preserving and examining evidence quickly is essential to protecting the rights of the victim’s family and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.”
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the injured victims may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. According to Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal, the aftermath of a serious injury can be overwhelming, affecting every aspect of a victim’s life—from family and finances to work and overall well-being.
“Hiring an attorney is essential when pursuing a personal injury claim,” Formica said. “An experienced lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on the client’s behalf, helping to ensure their rights are protected.”
He added, “Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by pressuring victims into accepting quick settlements that are far below what they deserve. A dedicated attorney will fight to make sure the victim is treated with dignity and receives full and fair compensation.”
Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, California, Motor Vehicle Accident, Highway 99, just south of Hammatt Avenue