Four people killed in fatal Fresno County DUI crash
Two children and two adult passengers died on scene. The drivers of both vehicles were immediately air-lifted to CRMC.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Four people are dead and two people are in moderate condition after a crash near Mendota.
The accident happened at 4:30 this afternoon on Whitesbridge near Mendota.
43-year-old Rien Ban is facing multiple charges, including second degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI.
Four lives lost. CHP officers say this blue SUV was trying to pass a slow vehicle on SR-180. But the driver didn't see oncoming traffic and that's when the black KIA swerved to try and get out of the way.
"The driver of the blue SUV turned back into the eastbound lane and the front of the blue SUV impacted the right front of the black Kia," CHP Sergeant Sean Haller.
Two children and two adult passengers died on scene. The drivers of both vehicles were immediately air-lifted to CRMC. It's possible the driver of the SUV was drinking but Sergeant Sean Haller says it's they're still investigating who is at fault.
"This is a passing zone. It appears right now that the driver of the SUV may have been exceeding the posted speed limit," said Haller.
Samuel Morales doesn't want his face on camera but works at a dairy just down the highway. He says he saw the aftermath of the accident and feels terrible if alcohol really was a factor in this crash. "Bad things happen to innocent people. Two children died and it wasn't their fault," he said.
Dozens of family members crowded the scene as first responders cleaned up the crash. One car of victims is from Mendota, the other from Fresno.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing. The names of the victims and drivers won't be released until all the family members are notified.
