Andrew Ruben Flores, Skylor Nan Lish Obituary, Death: The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has identified the driver and passenger who were killed in a tragic crash in Merced County on December 16. The victims, 24-year-old Andrew Ruben Flores and 24-year-old Skylor Nan Lish, were in a Kia when it collided with a Freightliner tractor-trailer. According to Merced County Sheriff Deputy Michael Domingue, the accident occurred shortly before midnight near Los Banos.
The crash happened when Flores, driving the Kia, apparently failed to stop at a posted stop sign, causing the vehicle to enter the path of the oncoming tractor-trailer. Despite the truck driver’s attempt to avoid the collision, the Freightliner struck the Kia, pushing both vehicles into the median. Tragically, Flores and Lish were pronounced dead at the scene by responding CHP officers.
A 1-year-old child who was in the Kia at the time of the crash was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital, although the child’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and were considered precautionary. Fortunately, the driver of the Freightliner was not injured in the incident.
The CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, although it is believed that the failure to stop at the stop sign played a critical role. Both vehicles involved in the crash ended up in the median after the collision, underscoring the severity of the impact.
The loss of Flores and Lish, both in their mid-20s, has left family and friends grieving. While the investigation is still ongoing, authorities are emphasizing the importance of following road signs and signals to prevent similar tragedies.