Man sustains major injuries after car crashes into power pole near Stevinson, says CHP

A Newman man was transported to a hospital with major injuries Monday, after a solo-vehicle collision west of Stevinson in Merced County, according to California Highway Patrol.

At about 1:05 p.m., CHP officers responded to the area of Kelley Road and River Road for a solo-vehicle collision into a pole, according to CHP Officer Eric Zuniga. Authorities said the 65-year-old man was driving a 2001 Mercury Sable north on Kelley Road just north of River Road, when for unknown reasons he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a PG&E power pole.

Zuniga said the passenger side of the vehicle struck the pole resulting in severe damage to the vehicle and major injuries to the the driver, including injuries to his head.

The man was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for treatment of his injuries. The CHP said the man was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

Authorities said neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as factors in the collision. According to Zuniga, that area of the county did see rain Monday, leading authorities to believe that weather and speed may have been a factor in the collision, which remains under investigation.

Zuniga advises motorists to slow their speeds and to anticipate the possibility of oils that may be present on the road surface during rainy conditions.

“Slow down, wear your seat belt and drive defensively,” said Zuniga.