FRESNO, California (AP) – Seven children and two adult drivers were killed in the main crash 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 with a Dodge vehicle on State Route 33 between Avenal and Coalinga, the office of the Cores’ Fresno County and California. Highway Patrol said.
Evidence from the scene indicated that the Dodge, driven by a 28-year-old man, was traveling south on the highway when he turned on the dirty shoulder for an unknown reason. The driver then over-corrected and swerved into the southern lane, where it hit the Ford driven by a woman.
The Ford burst into flames on the dirty shoulder, while the Dodge came to a halt across both lanes of the highway, the CHP said. All eight people in the Ford were killed, including the seven children.
The driver of the Dodge has been identified as Daniel Luna of Avenal. The coroner’s office was busy identifying the victims in the Ford.