FRESNO, Calif. — Five people were killed early Saturday in a two-car head-on collision near in eastern Fresno County.
The California Highway Patrol said alcohol may have been a factor.
The CHP reported that the crash occurred about 4:30 a.m. on Millerton Road near Marina Drive, just west of the Table Mountain Casino.
A driver and three passengers were in a silver Hyundai Accent heading west on Millerton Road, CHP spokesperson Mike Salas said. Investigators believe the Hyundai crossed a double-yellow line into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with a white Honda Accord.
All four people in the Hyundai were killed, Salas said. All were men and believed to be Fresno County residents.
A passenger in the Honda was also killed. Fire crews used the Jaws of Life to cut the roof from their car to free the driver and another passenger. Both were taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno with major injuries.
Investigators believe that the driver of the Hyundai may have been impaired by alcohol. “There were indications at the scene that led us to believe that alcohol may be a factor,” Salas said. He added, however, that a final finding will depend on results of toxicology results from the Fresno County Coroner’s Office.
“It is believed that none of the people in the Hyundai were wearing their seat belts, which definitely added to the severity of the injuries,” Salas said. “The amount of damage to both vehicles was astronomical.”
“We can’t stress enough the importance of wearing those seat belts,” he added. “Obviously the impact was very traumatic, but it’s going to give you the best opportunity to have a survivable crash.”
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