Merced County, CA – On Sunday night, September 14, 2025, a head-on crash resulted in the deaths of Alexander Jackson, 29, from San Jose, and Susana Esquivel, 28, from Atwater, as reported by KSEE and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The incident occurred around 11:15 PM on Highway 59, just south of Washington Road. Investigators stated that Esquivel was driving a 2019 Toyota Camry south at an unspecified speed when she crossed over the broken center line. Esquivel’s car moved into the northbound lane right in front of Jackson, who was operating a 2016 Toyota Camry. The left front side of Esquivel’s vehicle collided with the left front side of Jackson’s car. The crash resulted in severe destruction to both vehicles. Emergency responders reached the location soon after getting an iPhone crash alert but unfortunately confirmed that both drivers perished from their injuries at the site. CHP officials indicated that speed could have contributed to the accident, although the precise cause is still being investigated. Investigators recorded details of the wreck, inspected the road, and gathered information from each vehicle to piece together what happened before the accident. After the scene investigation, both victims were taken into custody by the Merced County Coroner’s Office. Officials urged anyone with knowledge regarding the incident to reach out to the California Highway Patrol. This relates to wrongful death claims and the principle of comparative negligence. Figuring out who is at fault in an accident can depend on various elements, and according to California’s Comparative Negligence law, multiple individuals may be assigned some degree of blame. If another individual is deemed partially responsible for the death, the family may have the option to pursue a Wrongful Death claim against the insurance of the driver who is at fault. This can offer financial assistance to offset medical costs, funeral expenses, and lost wages to support the family of the deceased. Merced Wrongful Death Attorney.