One Man Dead After Collision On Murphy’s Grade Road

Angels Camp, CA — A Manteca man is dead after a two vehicle collision on Murphy´s Grade Road Sunday night.

CHP says 43-year-old Fred Bender was traveling eastbound at an extremely high rate of speed when he veered into the oncoming lanes while attempting to negotiate a series of “s” type curves.

Police say Bender´s ´97 Jeep Cherokee collided head-on with a ´99 Chrysler Mini-van driven by 73-year-old George Mulder. Mulder´s wife Elsie Mulder was a passenger in the van which was traveling at about 45 miles-per-hour.

Reports indicate both drivers were trapped in their vehicles and had to be extricated. CHP says Bender´s Jeep caught fire after the accident, but he was pulled free by witnesses at the scene.

Bender was transported to Angels Camp and then airlifted to Memorial North Hospital with major injuries. Elsie Mulder was transported to Sonora Regional with moderate injuries.

Police say George Mulder was pronounced dead at the scene. CHP says charges of Felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter against Bender will be forwarded to the Calaveras District Attorney´s Office.

Officers are also seeking to question a man who was walking his German Shepherd near Bret Harte High School at the time as a potential witness.