A fatal collision occured Wednesday off of SR 165 north of River Road.

A 1967 Ford Pickup traveling at a high speed slid off the roadway and collided into three posts before reaching the south embankment of the Merced River. The vehicle dropped 75 feet into the river and lay submerged under water beneath the Millkan Bridge.

The unidentified male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt.