Advertisement

Federal agents investigating major California highway crash that killed 13

March 3 (UPI) -- California authorities say 13 people were killed in a major wreck near San Diego on Tuesday and more than a dozen are in the hospital with serious injuries.

The crash involved a tractor-trailer and a sport-utility vehicle on Highway 115, not far from the U.S.-Mexico border and about 100 miles east of downtown San Diego.

Advertisement

Authorities later said the SUV was carrying more than two dozen people, many of whom were Mexican migrants. There was no rear seat in the vehicle, which left most passengers unrestrained during the crash.

The California Highway Patrol said the SUV was traveling south when it attempted to cross the highway and veered into the path of the semi-truck.

Authorities said all but one of the dead were pronounced at the scene.

The Homeland Security Department has begun a human smuggling investigation. The Mexican consulate said at least 10 Mexican nationals were among those killed in the crash.

Latest Headlines