A collision between a semitruck and an SUV carrying more than two dozen people near the U.S.-Mexico border on Tuesday morning killed 15 people and injured several others, officials said.
Twenty-seven people were in the sports utility vehicle when it hit a tractor-trailer hauling gravel, said Judy Cruz, director of emergency departments in the El Centro region.
Fourteen people died at the scene. Another died at El Centro Regional Medical Center, where six others are being treated, Cruz said. At least five others were flown from the scene to other treatment centers, she said.
“The patients are obviously going through a difficult time,” said El Centro Regional Medical Center CEO Adolphe Edward. “It was a serious accident and we take care of it in the emergency department.”
Four people were taken by helicopter to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, where three of them are in intensive care, said Todd Burke, an information officer at the hospital.
Sal Flores, deputy fire chief, said the Imperial County Fire Department and the emergency services office responded to a “mass death” at 6:16 p.m.
El Centro firefighters are also on the scene, along with customs and border patrol officers, assisting the Sheriff’s Office.
Fifteen first responders and five fire trucks arrived at the scene of Highway 115, just north of Holtville, Flores said. A helicopter bounced overhead as it responded to questions about the crash.
Highway 115 is currently cordoned off and keeps north of Holtville, he said.