Alcohol likely a factor in crash that killed 4 and injured 2 after vehicle rolled off mountain road near Wrightwood
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Four people were killed early Friday, and two were in critical condition, after a car drove off a mountain road near the Los Angeles-San Bernardino County line and rolled into a meadow area.
A “preliminary investigation indicates that none of the occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, and that alcohol is likely a contributing factor in this crash,” the California Highway Patrol said in a statement Friday.
The San Bernardino County Fire Department said it received a call around 1:40 a.m. about a crash involving a single vehicle on State Route 2 and Flume Canyon Road on the eastern edge of Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood. The agency responded with an ambulance, a medic engine and two air ambulances.
According to the CHP, six residents of Wrightwood were in a black 2016 Hyundai Veloster, traveling east on State Route 2, when the vehicle veered to the right, overturned, traveled down an embankment and hit a power pole.
The rescue effort was challenging because the occupants were scattered outside the vehicle and emergency personnel didn’t know how many people had been inside, said Chris Prater, a public information officer for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
After conducting a search, he said they found five people were ejected from the vehicle, and one was wearing a seat belt but took it off and exited the vehicle.
Emergency personnel required approximately 40 feet of cable to rescue the victims, according to the California Highway Patrol’s traffic log.
Four of the vehicle’s occupants were confirmed dead at the scene, and two others were flown out by air ambulances and admitted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton in critical condition. The accident is under investigation by the CHP.
“The CHP reminds all motorists and passengers that seat belts save lives,” the agency said in a statement. “Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective action a person can take to protect themselves in the event of a traffic collision.”
The CHP also urged motorists to never operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
“Impaired driving is illegal, dangerous, and entirely preventable,” the CHP said. “If you plan to consume alcohol, designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service, or contact a friend or family member.”
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