Seven children and two adult drivers died in a head-on collision between an SUV and a pickup truck in central California on New Year’s Day, officials said.
The children, who were between six and 15 years old, were part of two related families traveling in a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup when it was hit by a Dodge Journey on State Route 33 between Avenal and Coalinga around 8pm on Friday , Fresno The county coroner’s office and the 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 it swerved to the shoulder for an unknown reason, police said.
The driver then corrected too much and swerved to the track in the opposite direction, where he hit the Ford, driven by a woman.
The Ford burst into flames on the shoulder while the Dodge stopped on both lanes of the highway, police said. All eight people – including the seven children – inside the Ford were killed.
Highway patrol captain Kevin Clays said the truck was equipped with only six seat belts, the New York Times reported. Clays said police officers who responded to the collision received advice.
“It is tragic for the community,” he said. “It is tragic for our officers who respond to these incidents.”
The Dodge driver was identified as Daniel Luna from Avenal. The coroner’s office was working on identifying victims in the Ford.