One person was killed early Tuesday morning in a head-on collision on Highway 59 south of Oakdale Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported around 6:21 a.m. and initially believed to involve four vehicles, but officers determined it was a two-vehicle collision between a 2012 Ford Fusion and a 2026 Western dump truck.

Investigators said an adult male driving the Ford southbound for unknown reasons crossed into the northbound lane and struck the dump truck’s driver side. The impact caused the truck to veer off the road, while the Ford became disabled in the southbound lane.

The Ford’s driver died at the scene, while the 30-year-old dump truck driver from Merced was uninjured and cooperated with investigators.

CHP said alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.