There were 27 passengers in the SUV that hit a halfway full of gravel, said Judy Cruz, the managing director of the emergency department at El Centro Regional Medical Center.
According to her, 14 people died at the scene and another person died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Other passengers are being treated at El Centro Regional Medical Center and at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in nearby Brawley.
“Patients are going through a difficult time as you can imagine,” said Adolphe Edward, CEO of El Regional Regional Medical Center. “It was a serious accident and we are taking care of it in the emergency department.”
The Palm Springs Regional Medical Center is caring for four patients from the crash, said Todd Burke, director of the hospital. Three of the four patients were in the intensive care unit, and all four were flown directly from the scene to the trauma center.
California Highway Patrol Officer Arturo Platero said the vehicle was moving west on Norrish Road near State Route 115 when it drove ‘in the direct path’ of a large tow truck at 115 northbound. The cause of the accident is being investigated.
A video posted on social media showing the aftermath of the crash shows a number of police, ambulance and firefighting vehicles at the scene. The road seems to be completely closed as some first aiders want to help wounded.
A truckload of trucks, with two trailers on it, is sitting on the road. As the camera pans depart, two helicopters can be seen.
CNN released the individual who posted the video, but they did not immediately respond.
The site of the crash is in southeastern California about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border.