Police said an alleged drunken driver crossed the centreline north of Williams Avenue
July 08, 2026 | Merced, CA
What happened in the Merced crash?
MERCED, CA — A 66-year-old woman suffered injuries when a Honda Civic crossed into oncoming traffic and struck her Chrysler SUV head-on just before 2 a.m. on July 8 near Route 165, north of Williams Avenue.
Jose Ramirez was arrested after allegedly crossing into oncoming traffic and causing a head-on crash that injured a 66-year-old woman on Route 165.
- Date and time: July 8, just before 2 a.m.
- Location: Route 165, north of Williams Avenue, Merced County
- Vehicles involved: Honda Civic and Chrysler SUV
- Agency responding: California Highway Patrol
The driver of the Honda, Jose Ramirez, was traveling southbound when he crossed into the northbound lanes. Officers determined Ramirez had been drinking prior to the collision. He was arrested at the scene. The SUV driver was transported to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for treatment. The investigation remains ongoing.
Why do these accidents happen?
Impaired driving continues to pose a serious risk on roadways. According to the CDC, thousands of people are injured or killed each year in crashes involving alcohol.
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|
| Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities | 13,384 in 2021 | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
| Annual injuries from impaired crashes | Over 300,000 | CDC |
| Frequency of alcohol-related injury or death | Every 89 seconds | Mothers Against Drunk Driving |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, injured parties may have options to seek recovery through the civil justice system.
“Separate from criminal charges, a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. As an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide an injured victim during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a driver who takes the wheel under the influence is held accountable for their actions.”
Key takeaways:
- Victims may pursue claims for medical expenses, future care, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
- Legal support can help navigate the aftermath of a serious collision.
“Although no amount of money can make up for a devastating injury, it is important that a victim is made aware of their rights and what they are entitled to by law. The injured victim in this collision may be entitled to an injury claim.”
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(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, Motor Vehicle Accident, California, Merced County, Head-on Crash, DUI Accident, Route 165, Williams Avenue