Four people were killed late Friday night after two vehicles collided head-on around 11:18 p.m. on State Route 76, roughly one mile east of Interstate 15 near Fallbrook in unincorporated San Diego County.
A person who has not yet been identified was driving a silver Chrysler 300 eastbound on SR-76, east of Horse Ranch Creek Road, according to California Highway Patrol.
At the same time, a 58-year-old man was driving a white Jeep Gladiator westbound on SR-76, also east of Horse Ranch Creek Road. A 56-year-old man was driving a silver Toyota Camry westbound on SR-76, behind the Jeep.
The Chrysler veered to the left and into oncoming traffic, colliding with the front of the Jeep for reasons still under investigation. The Toyota behind the Jeep was involved in a minor side-swipe with the Jeep after the first hit, CHP said.
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Both vehicles involved in the crash caught fire according to Capt. Brent Pascua, a spokesperson for Cal Fire San Diego.
The drivers of both the Chrysler and the Jeep died from their injuries, along with two adult passengers inside the Jeep, CHP said. A third adult passenger in the Jeep was taken to Palomar Hospital in Escondido with major injuries, Pascua said.
Personnel from both CHP and North County Fire Protection District responded to the incident.
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CHP is still investigating the crash and it is not yet confirmed if alcohol or drugs played a factor in the deadly collision.
Following the crash, officials closed SR-76 in both directions between Horse Ranch Creek Road and Rice Canyon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. A SigAlert was issued for the area.
No other information was available.
CHP is asking anyone who has information or who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Oceanside Area CHP office at 760-643-3400.
The identities of the deceased will be released through the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, CHP said.
