Details Released In Double Fatal Head-On Gilman Springs Crash

SAN JACINTO, CA — CHP officials on Monday were investigating what may have caused a 27-year-old Hemet man to crash a sedan head-on into a van full of people, leading to the death of a man and a woman on Sunday.

Among those killed in the wreck on Gilman Springs Road were 31-year-old Nestor Canales of Riverside, according to the Riverside County coroner's office. A 64-year-old woman from Los Angeles was also killed, according to the California Highway Patrol. Her name was not immediately released.

The crash was reported around 5:25 a.m. Sunday. CHP Officer Darren Meyer says the San Jacinto man was driving a 2004 Lexus sedan eastbound on Gilman Springs when he crossed into the westbound lanes and slammed into a 2008 Toyota Sienna van, which was being driven by a 52-year-old Los Angeles man.

"In a section of road divided by two sets of double solid yellow lines, a center rumble strip, and center paddle marker delineators, [he] crossed into the opposing lane," Meyer said in a news release. "The eastbound Lexus collided head-on into the westbound Toyota."

The man driving the Lexus was trapped inside the car and "required extensive extrication by fire department personnel," Meyer said.

Caneles was sitting next to the Lexus driver and died at the scene of the crash, according to the CHP. A 24-year-old woman who was sitting in the back of the same car had major injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

There were a total of six people in the van, all of whom were seriously hurt, according to Meyer. One of them, the Los Angeles woman, also died at the scene.

It's not yet clear what led to the crash.

"Alcohol, drugs and fatigue have not been ruled out as contributing factors in the cause of this collision," Meyer said.

An update on the condition of those hospitalized was not available. An initial report indicated that there were a total of eight people involved in the collision, but the CHP clarified on Monday that there were nine.