On July 17, 2019, at approximately 9:25 pm, the California Higheay Patrol (Merced area office) received calls of a multi-vehicle collision on southbound highway 99 north of Applegate Road.

Upon arrival, officers determined a major injury collision involving two vehicles.

During the investigation it was determined that, 54-year-old Adonay Diaz Ascencio from Chowchilla was driving a 2000 Chevrolet pick up truck in the #2 lane of southbound SR-99 at an unknown speed approaching a 2019 Nissan Versa stopped on the west shoulder of SR-99 north of Applegate Road.

63-year-old of Turlock was standing outside of the 2019 Nissan Versa due to the fact that she had ran out of gas.

For an unknown reason, Ascencio allowed the Chevrolet truck to drift over to the west shoulder of southbound SR-99, causing the front of the truck to strike the rear of the Nissan.

During the collision, Roman was struck by one of the vehicles according to public information officer Sunita.

The truck continued in a southwesterly direction and overturned on the right shoulder. Roman was taken by air ambulance to Memorial North Hospital for head trauma and abrasions to right arm.

Ascencio was taken by Riggs ground ambulance to Doctors Medical Center for a complaint of pain to the back.