Update: Names, details released in North County mass casualty accident
Update posted June 26 at 10:20 a.m.:
– California Highway Patrol has released the names of the involved parties as well as details about the mass casualty accident that occurred on Thursday night.
According to CHP, the driver of the Nissan Sentra was a 19-year old Atascadero resident, whose name will be released pending notification of the family. The passenger of the Nissan has been identified as 20-year old Cambria resident Mariana Zaragoza.
The driver of the Ford Ranger has been identified as 21-year old Cesar Saldana of Merced. The passenger in the Ranger has been identified as 19-year old Mistyca Oliva of Merced. The two children involved in the accident were also both passengers of the Ranger, according to CHP, and are ages two months and one year.
CHP reports that none of the occupants of the Ford Ranger were properly restrained. The collision is still under investigation. CHP confirmed that alcohol or drugs do not seem to be a factor in the incident.
Original story posted June 26 at 7:40 a.m.:
– One person was killed and five people injured as a result of an accident on Highway 46 West and Vineyard Road in Paso Robles Thursday night, around 7:25 p.m., according to reports.
Reports says that a Nissan Sentra was traveling on Vineyard Drive and failed to stop at the intersection with Highway 46 West and was hit by a Ford Ranger pickup traveling on Highway 46.
The driver of the Nissan was killed, the 20-year old female passenger was taken to the hospital. The infant in the back seat was properly restrained, and showed no signs of trauma, according to reports.
Reports say that the driver of the second vehicle, a 21-year old male, was properly restrained and sustained moderate injuries. The windshield of the car was impacted and the steering wheel was folded over. The 19-year old female in the front seat sustained facial trauma and was demonstrating a language barrier with paramedics, reports say.
Reports say that the infant in the back seat of the second vehicle did not appear to be properly restrained, and the carseat was found upside down with the 18-month old infant sustaining swelling on the right side of the head.
Reports, however, are conflicting. One reporting agency said that medics on the scene confirmed that the second infant did not appear properly restrained, but other agencies reported that California Highway Patrol said that both infants were in the truck, and did appear properly restrained.
CHP was unavailable for comment this morning. Updates and more information to follow.
Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the incident, according to reports. No further information is available at this time.
