A wrong-way driver and two women in another car who appeared to be coming home from a family reunion were identified after a deadly head-on collision on the 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, California, early Sunday morning.
Reports of a wrong-way, possibly drunk driver were made to California Highway Patrol just after 2 a.m. Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
"Our units started getting in position, and just after, a collision occured here," said Capt. Joe Flores.
The driver, identified as La Habra-resident Mack Jaramillo, 28, was speeding westbound on the eastbound 210 Freeway leading up to the crash, officials said.
A male driver and woman in the silver Hyundai that was struck by the wrong-way driver survived but suffered serious injuries. They were identified as 60-year-old Nitin Shah and his 56-year-old wife, Jyostha. They were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center. The wife was later released.
Two women in the backseat, identified as Fontana-resident Figuni Shah, 38, and Veena Shah, 52, died, officials said. Veena Shah was visiting from London.
Jaramillo died in the crash.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
According to CHP, all lanes on the eastbound 210 Freeway at Day Creek Boulevard were shut down until 7:30 a.m.
Authorities said it appears that the passengers in the silver Hyundai were family members on their way home from a family reunion.
Ronak Patel says the Shahs are part of the congregation of nearly 1,000 people at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.
"They are regular volunteers here and we are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic car accident they were involved in," Patel said.
A closed prayer was set to take place at the temple at 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
