Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators are looking into the possibility that this morning’s fatal two-car crash on Pacific Coast Highway was an intentional act by one of the drivers, according to a statement released by the Malibu/Lost Hills Station.
Two people were killed and another person had to be airlifted to the hospital in critical condition following a head-on collision at 12:42 a.m. in the westbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway near the Zuma View Place intersection. According to a press release from Malibu/Lost Hills, witnesses reported the driver of a Saturn was moving in the wrong direction. The other vehicle in the crash was a Ford Mustang. The drivers of both vehicles were killed.
The names of the deceased are being withheld until the families can be notified. The survivor was identified as Jesus Saenz.
“Early indications are that the occupants of the Mustang were members of the U.S. Navy, based out of Port Hueneme,” the press release stated.
One witness told investigators the Saturn nearly struck his vehicle head-on while moving on the wrong side of the road prior to hitting the Mustang. The witness estimated the Saturn’s speed at 100 mph. Preliminary analysis by investigators of skid marks left by the Saturn show the speed was approximately 80 mph to 90 mph.
The Saturn caught on fire following the crash and was extinguished by Los Angeles County Fire.
Pacific Coast Highway was closed in both directions following the crash until 8:30 a.m. All lanes are now open.
Those who witnessed the incident should call the Sheriff’s Station investigator at 818.878.5559.
– Jonathan Friedman