2 teens die, 9 injured in crash in Yucaipa

Two teenagers were killed and nine others were injured, four critically, in a Wednesday afternoon crash in Yucaipa that involved two vehicles filled with San Gorgonio High School seniors who had just attended a pre-graduation picnic.

Authorities said they did not believe that street racing, drinking or drug use was a factor in the crash.

Witnesses, however, said the two vehicles -- a Honda Civic and a Chevrolet Tahoe -- were being driven “a little fast, and they were driving recklessly,” said Arden Wiltshire, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The crash occurred about 3:10 p.m. as both vehicles headed south on Oak Glen Road near 5th Street, Wiltshire said. The right side of the Honda collided with the left side of the SUV, sending both vehicles veering out of control.

The Honda hit a curb, veered across the street and went down an embankment, Wiltshire said. The SUV rolled over three or four times and ejected four of the seven occupants, all of them male teens.

One of those ejected, Adrian Barajas, 18, of Highland, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other occupant of the SUV who was killed was not identified.

The four occupants of the Honda, all women, apparently suffered only minor injuries. All nine injured teenagers were taken to Loma Linda University Hospital.