Horrific Head-On Crash Near Fresno Kills 7 Kids, 2 Adults
FRESNO (CBS SF/AP) — Seven children and two adult drivers were killed in a horrific head-on collision in Central California on New Year's Day, authorities said.
The children, who were between 6 and 15 years old, were members of two related families traveling in a 2007 Ford that collided around 8 p.m. Friday with a Dodge vehicle on State Route 33 between Avenal and Coalinga, the Fresno County Coroner's office and the California Highway Patrol said.
"We feel heavy hearts coming before you today to give you this information," said CHP Capt. Kevin Clays at a news conference. "When the fire was extinguished, tragically it was discovered there were 8 occupants, seven appeared to have been juveniles inside the Ford."
Evidence from the scene indicated that the Dodge being driven by a 28-year-old man was traveling southbound on the highway when it veered onto the dirt shoulder for an unknown reason, the CHP said. The driver then overcorrected and swerved into the southbound lane, where it struck the Ford driven by a woman.
The Ford burst into flames on the dirt shoulder, while the Dodge came to a stop straddling both lanes of the highway. All eight people inside the Ford were killed.
"It's tragic for our community, it's tragic for our officers that respond to these incidents," Clays said. "A lot of these officers have young children as well and it's something we continue to monitor with them and offer assistance with them and help through the process."
The driver of the Dodge was identified as Daniel Luna of Avenal. The coroner's office was working on identifying the victims in the Ford.