An on duty deputy with the Merced County Sheriff’s Department was involved in a collision Thursday night that resulted in the death of a 51-year-old Hilmar man.

The Merced County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Pedro Rocha.

The deputy has been identified as Vincent LaMattina, 27.

The vehicle versus pedestrian collision happened around 8 p.m. Thursday on Lander Avenue, near the Third Avenue intersection in Stevinson.

The sheriff’s deputy was driving a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicle southbound on Lander Avenue. As he passed the Third Avenue intersection the front of the patrol vehicle struck Rocha, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Rocha had been walking in a southerly direction in the southbound lane of Lander Avenue, the CHP reported.

The collision caused fatal injuries for Rocha and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The CHP said Rocha was wearing dark clothing and that it was raining at the time of the collision.

The collision remains under investigation by the CHP.