Two dead in three-car crash involving a semi-truck near Salinas; deputies identify victims
Sergio Berrueta
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) – Two people are dead after a deadly three-vehicle crash near Salinas, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identifying the victims as 31-year-old Aristeo Cruz Jimenez of Port Hueneme, California, and 35-year-old Marcos Cruz Alia of Salinas.
The crash happened on Highway 183 near Cooper Road when the driver of a red sedan was looking to make a left turn. As they attempted to do so, the driver of a grey SUV rear-ended the sedan.
It was then that the red sedan was pushed into a semi-truck that was traveling northbound, causing the vehicles to crash head-on. The driver of the red sedan suffered major injuries but both passengers in their car were killed.
The highway was closed in between McFadden and Cooper Roads as CHP investigated the scene.
The CHP said the driver of the SUV ran away from the scene but was later located and identified as a 19-year-old woman from Salinas.
The CHP didn’t indicate if the woman was arrested.
This case is still being investigated by CHP.