Groveland, CA…On Oct. 24 at approximately 5:30pm a 22 year old male from Groveland was driving a 2012 Nissan Maxima eastbound on Hwy 120, east of Smith Station Road. An unidentified woman was driving westbound on Hwy 120 in a 2012 Mercedes. For unknown reasons the two vehicles collided on Hwy 120. The collision resulted in 5 deaths and 2 with major injuries.

The driver of the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene, and his 22 year old female passenger from Merced was flown to Memorial Hospital with major injuries.

The driver, along with three other passengers in the Mercedes, perished at the scene, and a 4th passenger, from Saratoga was flown to Doctors Medical Center with major injuries. All parties in the Mercedes are still being identified.

After the collision, the Mercedes caught fire and started a small grass fire which was extinguished by emergency personnel. Drugs and/or alcohol is not being ruled out as an associated factor to this collision.

Hwy 120 was closed for approximately 5 hours with detours in place. CHP is asking for the public’s help regarding this collision. Please call the Sonora CHP office at 209.984.3944, attention Officer Griefer.

In release below is for informational purposes only and is not the final accident report. From all of us at ThePineTree.net our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.