Crash That Killed 5 Not Tied to Rain, Officials Say

Rain was not a factor in a head-on collision that killed five people, including two children, on a mountain road, authorities said Sunday.

Six others were injured in the crash Saturday afternoon and four remained hospitalized Sunday evening.

A Ford pickup truck driving on the wrong side of California 138 near the Cajon Pass struck a van head-on about 4 p.m. Saturday, Highway Patrol Officer Richard Geller said.

“It was raining prior to the accident and during and after . . . [but] the rain didn’t have a factor in it,” Geller said. “It could have happened on a sunny day.”

A witness told Geller that the pickup truck had been on the wrong side of the two-lane road for about half a mile. The witness’ vehicle swerved to the side of the road and landed in some bushes to avoid the truck, which then slammed into the van.

It wasn’t known why the pickup had drifted to the wrong side of the road, Geller said. There were only three vehicles on that straight stretch of road at the time.

“For me personally, in 14 years, this is the worst accident I’ve investigated,” Geller said.

The crash killed the van driver, Juan Galvan, 39, of Fresno; his wife Josefina Galvan, 38, and their 3-year-old son, Luis Galvan, said San Bernardino County Deputy Coroner Monika Padilla. Juan Galvan Jr., 9, died later at a hospital, Geller said.

Also killed was pickup truck driver Stephanie Fleming, 29, of Phelan.

Elena Galvan, 12, suffered head injuries. She was in critical condition Sunday night at San Bernardino County Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

Gerardo Galvan, 18, was taken to another hospital but there was no immediate word on his condition.

Fred Fleming, 30, of Phelan, one of the passengers in the truck, was in critical but stable condition at the San Bernardino County Medical Center.

Jesse Hall, 9, was in serious but stable condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. Justice Hall, 3, who was riding in a child safety seat, was treated and released Sunday.

Jonathan Hall, 7, was treated at another hospital for minor injuries and released Sunday, Geller said.

The crash closed the highway for more than seven hours.