7 People Killed in Collision Near Gilroy Identified

Authorities Sunday identified seven people killed in a head-on traffic collision on California 25.

Saturday afternoon a southbound Honda Accord driven by Edward Martinez Jr., 21, of Los Banos crossed into the northbound lane of the two-lane highway and slammed into a pickup truck carrying five people, who were not wearing seat belts, authorities said. There were no survivors.

The San Benito County Sheriff’s Department said the truck was driven by Ismael Smiley Chavarria, 25. His passengers included Jennifer Ann Lohr, 35, Chavarria’s girlfriend; Lohr’s two sons, Bryon Lohr, 13, and Kevin Lohr, 11, and Roland Wilson, 24. All lived in Gilroy.

Also killed was Jacob Samuel Margherita, 27, of Los Banos, a passenger in the Honda, authorities said.

The car was believed to be moving between 60 and 65 mph in a 55-mph zone. A driver who had been trailing the Honda told police that he flashed his headlights in several attempts to get the car to return to the correct side of the road.

Both directions of California 25 near Shore Road were closed for 10 hours.

The California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and sheriff’s deputies responded to the crash.

It is not known whether alcohol, drugs or fatigue were factors in the accident, officials said.