A teen driver is “lucky to be alive” after his car was split in half in a crash in Merced County, according to the CHP

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — A highway in Merced County has reopened after a head-on crash that blocked multiple lanes.

The accident happened just after 9 a.m. Tuesday on Highway 140 near Arboleda Drive, east of Merced.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 16-year-old girl driving a Honda Civic lost control of the car and collided head-on with a truck, splitting the Civic in two.

Officials say the Le Grand teen was lucky to be alive and was taken to the hospital with only minor injuries.

The truck driver was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.