Merced County, CA – On the night of Sunday, September 14, 2025, Alexander Jackson, 29, of San Jose, and Susana Esquivel, 28, of Atwater, died in a head-on collision, according to KSEE, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the accident took place around 11:15 PM on Highway 59, south of Washington Road.
Investigators said Esquivel drove a 2019 Toyota Camry southbound at an unknown speed when she veered left across the painted broken center line. Her vehicle entered the northbound lane directly in the path of Jackson, who was driving a 2016 Toyota Camry.
The left front of Esquivel’s vehicle struck the left front of Jackson’s vehicle. The collision caused catastrophic damage to both cars. Emergency responders arrived shortly after receiving an iPhone crash notification but confirmed that both drivers died from their injuries at the scene.
CHP officials said speed may have played a role in the collision, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Officers documented the wreckage, examined the roadway, and collected data from both vehicles to reconstruct the events leading to the crash.
The Merced County Coroner’s Office took custody of both victims following the on-scene investigation.
Authorities asked anyone with information about the crash to contact the California Highway Patrol.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
Merced Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a Merced Wrongful Death Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
