Two children were killed in a devastating crash on Christmas Day in Southern California, and the driver of the vehicle they were riding in has been arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment, authorities said.
The collision occurred just before 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, Dec. 25, on northbound Interstate 5 in Lebec, a small community in northern Los Angeles County. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed that two vehicles were involved in the crash south of Vista Del Lago Road.
According to investigators, a gold Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the center median of the freeway, with the driver waiting alongside a family member. A blue Nissan Rogue traveling northbound then lost control and crashed into the rear side of the stationary Toyota.
The Nissan Rogue was carrying two adults and six minors at the time of the crash. CHP said the impact caused three of the children to be ejected from the vehicle. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and attempted lifesaving measures, but two of the minors were pronounced dead at the site of the crash. Their ages and identities have not been released.
The driver of the Nissan Rogue was identified by CHP as Jorge Preciado. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of felony child endangerment and later booked at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in Santa Clarita.
Authorities are continuing to investigate what caused Preciado to lose control of the vehicle. CHP has not yet confirmed whether speed, weather conditions, mechanical failure, or restraint use played a role in the crash.
“This loss of two young lives is heartbreaking,” CHP Captain Purvis said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the families of those involved in this tragedy. This incident is an important reminder that proper use of child safety seats is critical to protecting children on the roadway.”
The crash occurred amid severe weather conditions across much of Southern California in the days leading up to Christmas. Heavy rainfall battered the region, with some areas of Los Angeles County receiving more than 11 inches of rain on Wednesday night, Dec. 24. The National Weather Service warned of flash flooding, especially in areas already vulnerable due to wildfires earlier in the year.
In response to the dangerous conditions, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a Declaration of Local Emergency on Dec. 24, warning residents of hazardous driving conditions. California Governor Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County and several other Southern California counties, citing heightened risks of flooding and landslides.
The deadly crash in Lebec was among several fatal incidents linked to the extreme weather. NBC News reported that at least four people across California died in weather-related accidents during the same period. In South Sacramento, a motorist was killed in a roadway crash, and in San Diego, a 61-year-old man died after strong winds caused a large tree to fall on him.
Investigators say the Interstate 5 crash remains under active investigation as authorities work to determine all contributing factors and whether additional charges may be filed.