3 killed in fiery crash with wrong-way driver on I-5 near Coalinga

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- An investigation is underway to determine what led to a deadly crash on I-5 on Thursday evening.

Now, a charred divider on Interstate 5 is what's left of a fiery crash that claimed the lives of three people.

The California Highway Patrol says it happened on Thursday evening around 7..

"An unidentified female was driving a Jeep Cherokee, and they were traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5. They were traveling southbound on the northbound traffic lanes when they collided head-on into a transport van/ The transport van was occupied by two occupants," said CHP Lt. Matt Zulim.

Moments later, a Toyota with two people in it crashed into the van.

Those two were able to get out before all three vehicles went up in flames.

The female driver of the Jeep and the two people in the van all died at the scene.

"Because of the fact that the vehicles burned it is taking longer with the coroner's office to identify the victims," explains Lt. Matt Zulim.

Before the crash, the California Highway Patrol was already in the area.

Someone had called 911 to report the wrong-way driver.

"Wrong-way driving happens more often than we would like. It's a very serious issue," Lt. Zulim explains, "I would like to stress to the public that if you are driving and see a wrong-way driver, please immediately call 911. Those are some of the most serious crashes, the ones that involve a wrong-way driver."

It's unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor.

The CHP is investigating what led to the crash.

"It's extremely sad, it's a tragedy, it's a very serious crash, so this would check those boxes, and I feel extremely bad for the family that won't be able to see their family again because of this," expressed Lt. Zulim.

The California Highway Patrol says the investigation could take several weeks or months to complete.

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