Names Released in 2-Vehicle Highway Wreck

Only minor injuries were reported following that two-vehicle wreck on Highway 108 yesterday just west of South Washington Street.

33-year-old Annette Ward of Merced was eastbound a 99-model Chevrolet SUV when the vehicle lost traction on the ice and went off the highway edge and hit the guardrail. From there, the SUV crossed into the oncoming lane and hit a 2000 Buick, driven by 71-year-old James Duke of Sonora. The SUV rolled onto its roof following the collision, and the Buick went down the embankment.

Duke and his 70-year-old female passenger went to Sonora Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. 32-year-old Erika Azeveddcione of Catheys Valley and 18-year-old Chris Housley of Winton went to Tuolumne General Hospital for their minor injuries. Officer Brad Schultz of the CHP says the two adults and four teenagers in the SUV were apparently from a school in Merced and had come up to the mountains to play in the snow.