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One dead in Hilmar collision
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A collision in Hilmar between a milk tanker and a Lexus resulted in the death of a Stevinson man on Saturday.

The deceased was identified by the Merced County Coroner’s Office as Frederick Gleason, 82, of Stevinson.

The driver of the milk tanker, Aurelio Barajas Zapien, 43, of Turlock was not injured, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The collision happened shortly after 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Lander and Crane avenues.

Barajas Zapien was driving a 2013 Peterbilt semi-truck with a milk tanker attached. He was traveling on Crane Avenue and had stopped at the intersection.

Gleason was driving a 2008 Lexus southbound on Lander Avenue, just north of Crane Avenue.

Barajas Zapien began making a left turn onto Lander Avenue. Gleason was unable to take evasive action as the truck and tanker entered the intersection, according to the CHP.

The Lexus collided with the left front tires of the tanker. Gleason sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The CHP report stated he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

The collision remains under investigation, though at this time it does not appear that drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.