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Two Young Girls Killed After Big Rig Smashes Minivan On 5 Freeway
POSTED: 1:54 pm PDT May 4, 2007
UPDATED: 6:25 pm PDT May 4, 2007
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SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Two young girls died Friday and their 5-year-old brother, mother and grandmother were injured, the boy critically, when a big rig plowed into the family's minivan on the San Diego (5) Freeway in Mission Viejo, authorities said.
The tractor-trailer rear-ended the silver van carrying the five family members about 1:10 p.m. on the southbound 5, north of Oso Parkway, said California Highway Patrol Officer Katrina Lundgren.
The driver of the minivan had stopped in traffic, and the trucker, who is from Apple Valley, failed to stop in time, Lundgren said, adding that there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol were involved.
The 3- and 4-year-old girls and their brother were sitting in the rear of the silver-color Chrysler minivan, secured in child safety and booster seats, and every adult was using a seat belt, Lundgren said.
The boy was taken to Mission Regional Hospital and Medical Center, where he underwent surgery this afternoon, Lundgren said.
The children's mother and grandmother suffered moderate to major injuries, and were taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, she said.
The minivan was pushed into a Chevrolet Suburban, whose driver went to the hospital with minor injuries, Lundgren said. The truck driver was not hurt.
None of the names of the victims were immediately available.
Lundgren said stop-and-go traffic is typical for a Friday afternoon in the area, with a lot of vehicles entering and exiting the freeway while heading to and from offices and homes.
An Orange County Fire Authority unit was nearby and quickly got to the accident scene, declaring the victims dead on-site at 1:15 p.m., Lundgren said.
The investigation will be conducted by officers in the CHP's Capistrano office.
POSTED: 1:54 pm PDT May 4, 2007
UPDATED: 6:25 pm PDT May 4, 2007
Email This Story | Print This Story
SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Two young girls died Friday and their 5-year-old brother, mother and grandmother were injured, the boy critically, when a big rig plowed into the family's minivan on the San Diego (5) Freeway in Mission Viejo, authorities said.
The tractor-trailer rear-ended the silver van carrying the five family members about 1:10 p.m. on the southbound 5, north of Oso Parkway, said California Highway Patrol Officer Katrina Lundgren.
The driver of the minivan had stopped in traffic, and the trucker, who is from Apple Valley, failed to stop in time, Lundgren said, adding that there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol were involved.
The 3- and 4-year-old girls and their brother were sitting in the rear of the silver-color Chrysler minivan, secured in child safety and booster seats, and every adult was using a seat belt, Lundgren said.
The boy was taken to Mission Regional Hospital and Medical Center, where he underwent surgery this afternoon, Lundgren said.
The children's mother and grandmother suffered moderate to major injuries, and were taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, she said.
The minivan was pushed into a Chevrolet Suburban, whose driver went to the hospital with minor injuries, Lundgren said. The truck driver was not hurt.
None of the names of the victims were immediately available.
Lundgren said stop-and-go traffic is typical for a Friday afternoon in the area, with a lot of vehicles entering and exiting the freeway while heading to and from offices and homes.
An Orange County Fire Authority unit was nearby and quickly got to the accident scene, declaring the victims dead on-site at 1:15 p.m., Lundgren said.
The investigation will be conducted by officers in the CHP's Capistrano office.
