Missing Person Found Dead in Fiery Merced Car Crash

Early Saturday morning, a fatal solo vehicle crash occurred near the Campus Parkway on-ramp from Highway 140 in Merced County. Deputies responding to the scene found a vehicle that had collided with a fixed object and was fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, a deceased individual was discovered inside the vehicle. Authorities indicated that the person associated with the vehicle had recently been reported missing, and they are currently working with investigators and the coroner's office to confirm the identity of the decedent. The investigation remains active with no further details released at this time. The collision and subsequent fire have raised ongoing inquiries by local law enforcement.