2 dead in Visalia-area car crash; CHP later arrests driver in Merced

Two people are dead, two injured and a driver is under arrest after an early-morning crash on Highway 198 near Visalia.

The crash took place shortly after 4 a.m. and the driver, identified as Andralas Wallace, was arrested later after he fled to Merced, according to California Highway Patrol spokesman Steve Beal.

The CHP first responded to a report of a female pedestrian on westbound 198 east of Highway 99, according to Beal. Arriving officers learned that she was a passenger in a car that had crashed in a ravine and that three passengers were ejected. Two were dead at the scene. Another person was taken to a hospital with major injuries, along with the first person officers encountered. Investigators don’t believe the passengers were wearing seat belts.

Beal said that Wallace somehow obtained a ride to Merced, where he was taken into custody by Merced police officers.

This story was originally published June 10, 2020 at 8:31 AM.