Body found in fiery crash near Merced

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A person was killed in a fiery crash just outside of Merced early Saturday morning, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Deputies say they responded to a reported collision near the on-ramp to Campus Parkway from Highway 140 around 3:30 a.m.

Responding units reported a vehicle had collided with a fixed object and was fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, a body was found inside the vehicle.

Upon further investigation, deputies say additional information received indicated that a person associated with the vehicle was recently reported missing.

Detectives are actively working with the coroner’s office to determine the identity of the decedent.