Merced officer in training honored by loved ones

MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — Merced is remembering a young man whose life was tragically cut short after being hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver.

28-year-old Abraham Bustos Guzman was a friend, a brother and a police officer.

“He was a very caring, loving, appreciative. He had lots of friends and family, as you can see,” Braulio Bustos said. 

Family and friends came together to honor Abraham, who died after being hit by a car on Highway 99 near Atwater.

His brother, Braulio, says Abraham was on his way home from a 10-hour shift around 4 a.m. on March 16.

He pulled over to help out the driver of a stranded vehicle.

“It didn’t matter how tired he was, he stopped to help someone in need,” Bustos said.

The driver of that stranded vehicle, 22-year-old Sincere Collins of Atwater, was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

While Bustos was trying to help Collins, he was hit by the driver of another vehicle, 23-year-old Yessica Partida of Merced. 

Partida was also arrested under suspicion of DUI.

His brother says he died doing what he loved.

“He was doing his due diligence. He was doing his service. And, you know, that’s just who he was,” Bustos said.

Abraham was training to become a police officer for the Merced Police Department.

Other departments, including the Gustine Police Department, gathered to honor Abraham.

Gustine Police Sergeant Greg Gilstrap says Abraham’s death has left a hole in their hearts.

“When something like this happens in a law enforcement family, it’s, you know, very tragic no matter what agency,” Gilstrap said.