Witnesses sought in deadly Christmas Eve crash near Paso Robles
The California Highway Patrol is asking anyone that may have seen last week's deadly crash near the 76 truck stop north of Paso Robles to contact authorities.
The crash happened around 6:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve at the intersection of Wellsona Road and Highway 101.
A semi-truck was making a left-hand turn when the van, which was traveling south, hit the truck's trailer and went underneath it.
Four San Miguel residents in the van died. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
CHP believes several vehicles passed through the area around the time of the crash, but officers say no eyewitnesses have come forward.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call (805) 434-1822.
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Update: Four dead after minivan collides with semi truck near Paso Robles, California
Four people are dead after a semi-truck and Chrysler minivan collided on US-101, near the 76 truck stop north of Paso Robles.
The California Highway Patrol said the accident happened at the intersection of Wellsona Road and US-101 Wednesday night around 6:15 p.m.
The semi-truck was headed northbound on US-101 while the minivan was headed southbound.
The truck made a left-hand turn and crossed over the southbound lanes.
As the truck was crossing the lane the minivan hit the truck's trailer and traveled underneath it.
Glen Vonderheide has been driving this stretch of US-101 for more than 15 years.
He was headed to a Christmas Eve party when he drove by the crash Wednesday night.
"At first it looked like a pickup truck with its cab gone and as I passed by I realized it was a minivan that had the whole top sheared off," Vonderheide said.
Vonderheide said the truck stop is a popular place for trucks, RVs and cars to stop at because gas is so cheap.
With the increased traffic comes the potential for accidents.
"Accidents happen once every three or four months and just all the time there are close calls," Vonderheide said.
KSBY spoke with another truck driver who said the intersection is not well lit and the left turn is a tough one to make.
"It really needs an overpass, it really needs to have a full freeway set up and not have the side roads," Vonderheide said.
The driver of the minivan and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
A fourth passenger was transported to Twin Cities Hospital, but was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The semi-truck driver was not injured.
CHP has not released the names of the victims at this time.
KSBY did speak with two people who know one of the victims well and they said their hearts go out to the families affected by this crash.
CHP is continuing its investigation at this point in time.
KSBY reached out to Forward Air Solutions trucking company for a statement but they have not made a comment at this point in time.