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Turlock man arrested for DUI in Merced County crash
Driver, passenger seriously injured
Merced sheriff pic1

A Turlock man is facing criminal charges for a suspected driving under the influence crash that injured himself and his passenger.

The collision happened at 8:51 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of N. Gurr Road and Highway 140, near McSwain in Merced County.

Xavier Gurr, 31, of Turlock was driving a Nissan Altima southbound on Gurr Road and ran the posted stop sign at the intersection with Highway 140, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Eric Zuniga. The intersection does not have stop signs on the highway.

Gurr entered the intersection just as a 2014 Freightliner with a trailer was approaching. The two vehicles collided and the Nissan spun in a clockwise motion with the left rear striking the Freightliner.

The Freightliner continued where it veered to the left across the eastbound lane, into the eastbound shoulder where it struck a telephone pole, then veered back to the right, across the east and westbound lanes, overturned and rolled down an embankment on the right shoulder, Zuniga said.

Garcia was able to get out of the Freightliner as it was being engulfed in flames. He sustained minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.

Gurr's passenger, Alison Pernsteiner, 30, of Turlock sustained major injuries and was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto.

Gurr had serious injuries and was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.

"Mr. Gurr was placed under arrest for suspension of DUI, but due to his injuries he was released to the care of the hospital," Zuniga said. "Mr. Garcia was cooperative at the scene and no alcohol and/or drugs are suspected [on his part]."

The collision remains under investigation.