The Merced California Highway Patrol is investigating a collision that left one man dead and two others with major injuries.

CHP responded to a collision in the area of Walnut and Central Avenue at around 9:05 p.m. Sunday.

CHP says the driver 23-year-old Jose Marin Guizar Jr from Winton was driving a 2008 Lexus IS350 eastbound on Walnut Avenue and for unknown reasons lost control of the vehicle and crashed head-on with a 2001 Honda Civic traveling Westbound on Walnut Avenue.

All occupants were pinned inside both vehicles according to CHP public information officer Zuniga.

The male driver of the 2001 Honda was identified as a 33-year-old male from Atwater, 34-year-old Candice McCarty from Winton was a passenger in that vehicle, she was taken out of the vehicle by a passerby after it caught on fire, unfortunately, the unresponsive male remained pinned inside and died at the scene.

Jose was taken out from his vehicle by fire personnel when they arrived at the scene, he was also taken to Doctors Medical in Modesto with major injuries.

According to officer Zuniga, officers determined Jose to be under the influence of alcohol, he was arrested on suspicion of Felony DUI and remains at the hospital at this time.