The California Highway Patrol is
investigating a fatal accident on Southbound 99 in Merced.

The incident happened at around 10:40 am, According to California Highway Patrol public information officer Zuniga.

A 2017 Nissan Frontier was traveling Southbound on the number one lane at the split area near the 16th Street exit when a semi-truck traveling Northbound on 99 lost an axle from the trailer.

The axle landed on top of the truck killing the 58-year-old female driver from Avenal California, a 5-year-old in the back seat appeared uninjured but was taken to Mercy Medical Center for precautionary reasons, Zuniga told Merced Golden Wire News.

The 39-year-old big rig driver from Merced was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor.