The State - News from Feb. 16, 1987

Two cars full of teen-agers collided head on near Delano, killing six youths and injuring five others, authorities said. A California Highway Patrol team that specializes in major crashes was investigating the accident, CHP dispatcher John Sanchez said. Sanchez said he had no information on what caused the accident, and said there was no evidence that any of the people were wearing seat belts. Efrin Rodriguez, 19, of McFarland, was driving north on a country road between McFarland and Delano when his car strayed into the opposing lane and struck a pickup truck driven by Ralph Escalante, 18, of Delano, Sanchez said. Both drivers were killed. Three passengers in Rodriguez’s car, Rosa Sota, 18, Lionel Martinez, 16, and Sandra Perez, 17, all of McFarland, and Sonnan Silva, 16, Delano, one of three passengers in the pickup, also died. The injured, who ranged in age from 12 to 17, were hospitalized.