Two suspected drunk drivers were traveling up to 80 miles an hour in a drag race when they lost control of their vehicles and crashed into a Merced house early Monday, January 19th. The crash injured a boy that was sleeping in the house at the time of the incident. Five other people in the house at the time were not injured.
According to authorities, a Volkswagen Jetta driven by Sergio Flores, 20, and a Honda Civic Del Sol driven by Jose Morales, 20, were drag racing in a residential area when both vehicles lost control around 3 a.m. The Jetta struck a house, crashing through the living room and knocking down an interior wall, only stopping when striking a vehicle in the driveway. The Civic struck a concrete pole and clipped the side of the house before landing upside down.
Morales was flown to a local trauma center with injuries requiring surgery. Morales’ passenger in the Civic, a pregnant woman, was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Flores was arrested at the scene under suspicion of driving under the influence. The sleeping boy only suffered minor injuries to his leg.
Luckily, two residents of the house that usually sleep in the living room were not in the house at the time of the crash. Authorities are also relieved that the crash did not cause a fire or explosion; the gas tank of the Civic was detached from the vehicle.
Authorities believe both drivers were drunk at the time of the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
