SUV overturns after driver falls asleep in Merced County, CHP says

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A person fell asleep at the wheel while driving in Merced, and now the California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers of the importance of staying alert during long trips.

Officers responded to a solo crash on Highway 99 at the Atwater-Merced Expressway on Wednesday morning.

CHP believes the driver fell asleep, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway, overturn and land near the railroad tracks. No major injuries were reported in this crash.

Following the incident, officers shared a social media post, reminding the public that “even a split second of fatigue can change everything.”

“Fatigue doesn’t give you a warning. If you feel tired—pull over and rest. A few extra minutes of sleep could save your life,” CHP wrote on a social media post.