Family of 5 killed in Hesperia crash reportedly headed to Disneyland

The family of five that were killed Sunday in a car crash in Hesperia were reportedly on their way to Disneyland to celebrate a birthday when a van veered into oncoming traffic and slammed into their car.

The crash occurred about 7 a.m. at Main Street and Balsam Avenue, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.

All five of the Honda sedan’s occupants were killed, including a 25-year-old mother, her husband, their sons, 9 and 2, and their 4-year-old daughter, CBS Los Angeles reported. The girls, whose birthday was to be celebrated at the theme park, would have turned 5 on Monday, CBS reported.

Authorities initially reported only four people were killed but after crews were able to lift the van off of the car, they discovered the body of one of the boys, sheriff’s department officials said.

“I’ve been to scenes where families have suffered great loss. All at once, in such a violent manner, is very rare,” sheriff’s Sgt. Doug Hubbard told KTLA.

The driver of the van was traveling east on Main Street and, for an unknown reason, crossed into the westbound lanes, authorities said. The van collided with and landed on top of the car, which was stopped at a stop sign.

The driver of the van, described only as a male, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the sheriff’s department’s Hesperia station, which is seeking information from witnesses. No arrests have been made.

The names of the deceased had not yet been released, pending notification of their next of kin, said Jodi Miller, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.