Preliminary Cause Of Fatal Woodland Crash Released By CHP

WOODLAND, Calif. (CBS13) – The CHP has released the names of the seven people hurt after six vehicles collided and several burst into flames on Interstate 5 near Woodland on Monday afternoon.  Three people also died in the fiery crash.

The crash happened about 12:43 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near County Road 102.  A box truck and five passenger vehicles were involved.   All of the vehicles except one burst into flames.

A summary of the accident from CHP determined the driver of the box truck, 38-year-old Carlos Hernandez of Elk Grove, was traveling at an unsafe speed in a construction area and rear-ended several slower moving and/or stopped vehicles.   Hernandez suffered major injuries including a broken wrist, cuts to his head and burns.  He was taken to the UC Davis Medical Center.

Two of the people who died were pinned inside of their burning 2004 Chevy Tahoe.  The CHP did not release their identities but said both lived in Monmouth, Oregon.

A two-year-old girl from Tacoma, Washington also died.  Her identity was not released. She was in a 1996 Acura Integra driven by 61-year-old Ted Laycock of Riverside.   Laycock and another passenger, 21-year-old Brianna DeMillo of Tacoma, Washington, were taken to Mercy San Juan Hospital with cuts, bruises and burns.

Four people, all from Bellflower, California, in a 1998 Ford Expedition were also injured.  Arturo Carrera, 41, Guadulupe Carrera, 30, Adrian Carrera, 13, and Destiny Gonzles, 4. all suffered minor to moderate injuries and were taken to the UC David Medical Center.

A Jeep Wrangler with one person inside and a 2010 Ford Van with seven people were also involved in the accident but no one from those vehicles was injured.

The Valley Division Major Accident Investigation Team is handling the probe into the accident.  They do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor.