3 dead, 5 injured in crash near Dos Palos

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said a Chevy Astro van carrying farm workers overturned on Highway 152 between Los Banos and Chowchilla in Merced County.

CHP said the crash happened after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday on Highway 152 at Island Road. Sergeant Jesse Lopez said the van had been driving east when it drifted off the road. The driver then apparently overcorrected, and the van flipped over.

There were eight people inside the van. Three people died at the scene, and five others were taken to area hospitals. At least one of the survivors appeared to have major injuries, according to CHP.

Authorities said no other vehicles were involved, and all of the victims were adults. The survivors told investigators they were on their way back from working in the fields. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, however, CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor.