Community of Mariposa shaken by loss of teens

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- California Highway Patrol is investigating what led up to a head-on crash which claimed the life of two teenage girls and sent a woman to the hospital with serious injuries.

CHP says 70-year-old driver of a Toyota Tundra crossed into oncoming traffic near Highway 41 and Avenue 12 on Saturday. Officers say the pick-up collided into a Corolla carrying three people.

Investigators say 19-year-old Christina Jarrett and 13-year-old Kayla Choi died from their wounds. Choi's mother is currently being treated at Community Regional Medical Center. People in the tight knit community of Mariposa say the loss has shaken the community.

"They're just young kids and one just turned an adult. It's really hard," said Mike McDaniel. He added, "Being that the community is so small it gets around really quick and it impacts the community a lot."

Officers say the crash is still under investigation. They are trying to figure out why the driver of the Toyota Tundra crossed into the other lane but say alcohol was not a factor.