Terrible Crash in Fresno County Kills Nine People, Including Seven Minors | The State

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Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

A terrible tragedy occurred on the first day of the year in the Fresno County, Central California, when a collision on the road caused the death of nine people, including seven minors.

A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said at a news conference that around 8 p.m. Friday a 2013 Dodge Journey SUV was being driven on Highway 33, near Coalinga southwest of Fresno, heading south when some reason got into the shoulder to his right.

When doing so, the vehicle occupied by only one person lost control, crossed to the other side of the road and collided head-on with a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup which was driven on the same street heading north.

The result, according to investigations, was that the Ford vehicle ignited completely and when emergency personnel were able to put out the fire found the bodies of eight people, seven of them minors, in a vehicle for six people. It is investigated with forensic personnel if the minors were children or adolescents.

Video obtained by channel ABC 30 briefly shows the pickup when it was on fire and also remains of the accident on the narrow rural road.

The driver of the Dodge SUV, who also lost his life, was identified as Daniel Luna, 28, of Avenal, California.

Furthermore, the researchers work to determine the possible speed at which both vehicles were driven and whether the tragic accident could have been caused by alcohol or drug use.