CHP

Our deepest condolences to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and friends and family of Thomas J. Albanese.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY RAMP CLOSURE STATE ROUTE 99 AT 16th STREET IN MERCED Merced County The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans, District 10) will perform various ramp and lane closures on State Route 99 (SR-99) for maintenance and construction operations. Work will occur as follows:... Full on-ramp closure from 16th Street to southbound SR-99 for utility work on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. Alternate routes should be taken whenever possible. This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment, and/or materials and construction related issues. For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert.

DID SOMEONE SAY COFFEE Today, we had the opportunity to attend the Grand Opening of the new Starbucks located at the corner of R and 16th Street in Merced. It was a great opportunity to get out and interact with the public in a very positive manner. We even had a chance to throw on a green apron and provide the highest level of service Californians have come to expect from CHP. Anytime there is coffee available, you can guarantee we will be there. We look forward to getting out more in the community and interacting with the public. If you have an event that you would like our area to attend, you can contact Officer Zuniga or Officer Tipler at the Merced Area office.

Three units lined up for our Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) operation on Friday. We had several units working on SR-99 during the SEU operation, targeting speeding motorist, distracted drivers, and impaired drivers. The goal is to reduce the number of traffic collisions in our area. This should not only be a goal for the California Highway Patrol, but by all motorist and pedestrians. We will take it a step further and say this should be a goal for everyone as no one is immu...ne from the effects of traffic collisions. We can’t achieve this goal alone. It will take the combined effort of all of us. Together we can make our roads a safer place to travel. #SEU #SR99 #CHP #CHPMerced #CaliforniaHighwayPatrol #Enforcement #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork #lawenforcement #cops #patrolvehicle #drivetosurvive #itsnotworthit

IF THIS WEEK IS ANY INDICATION OF HOW SANTA DAY IS GOING TO GO.. This week has been a tremendous week for our Santa Day Toy Drive event. We kicked off the week with a very generous donation (see previous post) and last night we completed our first ever fundraiser drive thru dinner. The proceeds from last night’s dinner will be used to purchase much needed items for the youth within Merced County. Last night’s event would not have been possible without the assistance of Me...rced County Sheriff's Office Vern Warnke, Elks Lodge Merced #1240, Sonia Imahsla, and too many volunteers to name. We also have to thank two very special people that have been with us from the beginning. Jennifer Johnson from Starbucks, who brought out several of her partners to assist with preparing the meals, and Matt Migliazzo with M-Mig Construction, Inc., who had several of his employees help prepare chicken and pasta. All the food from last night’s dinner was exceptional but we’ve had several people comment on how amazing the barbecue beans were. Our very own, Captain Becky Burton, prepared last nights beans and no, she will not be sharing the recipe. We continue our fundraising efforts next week, We will be placing several collection barrels throughout The City of Atwater and City of Merced - Home. Check back for more information shortly.

WHAT CAUSED THE COLLISION This collision appears to be a case of There goes my exit. I’m sure we’ve all done it, driving along getting lost in our thoughts (not driving distracted of course) when we suddenly realize we are passing our exit. Instead of simply waiting for the next exit, this driver thought it was a better idea to make an aggressive lane change from the #1 lane (fast lane) through the lanes of traffic and gore point to save a few minutes. Unfortunately, that... aggressive lane change caused this driver to lose control of their vehicle, causing this collision. Before changing lanes, signal, look in all your mirrors, and: Check traffic behind and beside you. Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to make sure the lane you want is clear. Check for vehicles, motorcyclists, and bicycle traffic in your blind spot. Be sure there is enough room for your vehicle in the next lane. The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security. #whatcausedthecollision #crash #preventable #chp #californiahighwaypatrol #collision #safety #service #security

SANTA DAY IS ALREADY OFF TO AN AMAZING START We need everyone to help us thank Andrea and Rob Baptie from the The HateDust Project. For the third year in a row they have made a very generous donation, ensuring the Santa Day Toy Drive Event is a tremendous success. The HateDust Project serves to support education and services for children, veterans, and local communities through the crowdsourced funding of goods. ... Santa Day Toy Drive doesn’t officially kick-off until November 2, 2020, check back with us shortly for more information on how you can help. M-Mig Construction, Inc. Starbucks

****UPDATE**** ***Child found safe*** Be on the lookout for this vehicle.

EXPEDITE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC A goal of every CHP Officer, including Sergeant Franklin who we see here, waving traffic through a collision scene. #CHP #californiahighwaypatrol #safety #service #security #chpmerced #lawenforcement #cops #community #centralvalley #sergeant #stripes #wavinghishandsfranticlly #gettrafficmoving #stoprubbernecking #itsrickyfranklin

Be on the lookout for our next class.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY RAMP CLOSURES STATE ROUTE 99 FROM SR-140 EAST TO V STREET IN CITY OF MERCED Merced County The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans, District 10) will close various ramps on State Route 99 (SR-99) between SR-140 East and SR-59/V Street in the city of Merced for litter removal. Work will occur as follows: ... Intermittent full off-ramp closure from northbound SR-99 at SR-140 East on Monday, October. 26, 2020, from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Full on-ramp closure from 16th Street to southbound SR-99 beginning Monday, October 26, through Thursday, October 29, 2020, from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Full off-ramp closure from southbound SR-99 to SR-59/V Street on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Motorists should expect 5-minute delays. Alternate routes should be taken whenever possible. This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment, and/or materials and construction related issues. For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert.

*****PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED***** HIT AND RUN TRAFFIC COLLISION RESULTS IN FATALITY On October 23, 2020 around 7:03 PM, CHP Merced Communications Center advised of a collision in the area of Belcher Avenue and Beachwood Drive. ... A preliminary investigation revealed a male was driving a motorcycle (50yr old male from Merced), eastbound on Belcher Avenue, approaching the intersection of Beachwood Drive. The suspect vehicle, described as a dark green sedan (late 90’s or early 00’s model) was traveling westbound on Belcher Avenue approaching the intersection of Beachwood Drive. The suspect vehicle made a left turn into the path of the motorcycle causing this collision. Following the collision, the suspect vehicle fled the scene southbound on Beachwood Avenue. Upon arrival of emergency services, lifesaving efforts were performed but unfortunately the 50 year old male was pronounced deceased. CHP Investigators are requesting assistance from the public in gathering the details surrounding this incident. If you or anyone you know has any information that might be helpful, please call Officer Martinez at the CHP Merced Area Office (209) 356-6600 Merced Sun-Star Merced Daily Merced GW News KSEE24 News ABC30 Action News FOX26 CBS47 Fresno Telemundo 51 Fresno Noticias Univision 21 Fresno

If the Captain stopped you, you know it’s bad. Driving 110mph in a construction zone will definitely get you noticed! #captainburton #shestillmakeseforcementstops #chp #lieutenantbanuelos #washerbackup #lawenforcement #cops #alwaysanofficer #officerfirst #charger #dodge #captain #lieutenant #dontdrive100mph #slowdown

Traffic Alert: Solo vehicle traffic collision on State Route 99 southbound, north of Bradbury Avenue. The #2 lane will be temporarily closed while crews clean up the affected area. Please use alternate routes and avoid the area.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURE (SOUTHBOUND) SOUTHBOUND STATE ROUTE 59 IN CITY OF MERCED Merced County The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans, District 10) will close southbound State Route 59 (SR-59) between West Olive Avenue and Cooper Avenue in the city of Merced for utility work by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. ... Work will occur beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2020. Motorists are advised to use R Street as a detour during these nightly closures. Motorists should expect 10-minute delays. Alternate routes should be taken whenever possible. This work is scheduled to begin as listed, but is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment, and/or materials and construction related issues. For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert.

We look forward to seeing everyone tonight. There are a few spots left if you would like to join us. Contact Public Information Officer, Eric Zuniga, at (209) 356-6608 to reserve your spot.