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Merced driver killed in Keyes Road crash
• Alcohol believed a factor
Keyes Road fatal crash
Jose Reyes Morales of Merced died when his Toyota Camry was broadsided after he pulled out in front of another motorist westbound on Keyes Road. Morales was pinned in and had to be extricated by firefighters. The wrecked car came to rest in the orchard southwest of the intersection of Keyes and Mountain View roads.

A Merced driver was killed in an alcohol-related two-vehicle crash at Keyes and Mountain View roads Saturday evening.

The crash occurred at approximately 10:14 p.m. east of Keyes.

Dying from injuries sustained in the crash was Jose M. Reyes Morales of Merced.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Morales had stopped his Toyota Camry at the stop sign on southbound Mountain View Road but suddenly pulled out in front of a 1998 Toyota 4Runner driven by Favio Valencia, Jr., 27, of Patterson headed westbound on Keyes Road. Traffic on Keyes Road does not have to stop at that location. Valencia’s car was slammed on the driver’s side and came to rest in the eastbound lane of Keyes Road just west of Mountain View Road. The Camry ended up spinning off Keyes Road west of Mountain View Road. The mortally injured Morales was pinned in and had to be extricated from the wreckage by firefighters using the Jaws of Life cutting tool.

Both drivers were rushed to Memorial Medical Center where Morales died from injuries.Valencia sustained minor injuries.

The crash is still under investigation but alcohol appears to have been a factor in this collision.