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Victims identified in Shafter's double fatal crash

Posted at 11:34 PM, Jun 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-29 11:59:02-04

California Highway Patrol say a man is under arrest after a double fatal crash in Shafter Tuesday night. CHP says the man is suspected of driving under the influence. 

The Coroner's Office identified the two victims Isaiah Jacob Sanchez, 20, and Emilio Junior Mendoza, 23. Both were unrestrained and died at the scene from their injuries. 

CHP says 46-year-old Steven Flores Garza was driving a Chevy SUV northbound on Highway 43 Tuesday night around 9:45 when a Honda sedan slowed in front of him to make a left hand turn onto Burbank Street. 

In order to avoid rear-ending the Honda, CHP says Garza veered into the on-coming traffic's lane. However, before the Chevy could pass safely, the Honda turned left and collided with the SUV. As a result the Honda spun-out and two unrestrained passengers were ejected. They died at the scene. The driver of the Honda sustained major injures and was transported to the hospital. 

Garza was also transported to the hospital with broken hip where he was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. 

The identity of the victims and the surviving driver of the Honda have not yet been identified.