- At least 15 people were killed Tuesday when an SUV and semi truck crashed in Southern California.
- Officials from the El Centro Regional Medical Center said 27 passengers were in the SUV.
- Fourteen people are believed to have died at the scene, and at least one died in hospital.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
At least 15 people were killed Tuesday morning when an SUV and semi-truck crashed in Southern California, according to hospital authorities.
Officials from the El Centro Regional Medical Center said in a Facebook Live there were 27 passengers in the SUV that struck a truck full of gravel. Fourteen people are believed to have died at the scene, emergency room managing director Judy Cruz said.
Survivors were taken to area hospitals. Seven were transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center, where one person died after arrival.
Local news reporter Christián Galeno tweeted a picture of the crash in Imperial County, which sits more than 100 miles east of San Diego.
—Christián Galeno TV (@chrisgalenotv) March 2, 2021
Dr. Adolphe Edward, the hospital’s chief executive officer, said the patients were going through “a difficult time” after the “major accident,” but the emergency room department was taking care of the patients.
The hospital called for air support from nearby hospitals to assist patients, Cruz said.
Edward said the hospital wasn't currently releasing additional information about the patients, but would update the public later Tuesday "as the situation changes."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
