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Three dead following crash oh Highway 178, near Yankee Canyon, Monday

Posted at 3:34 PM, May 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-12 18:34:55-04

LAKE ISABELLA, Calif. — A two vehicle crash on Highway 178 Monday left three people dead and closed part of the highway for several hours.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a woman was driving a 1998 Ford Escort westbound near Yankee Canyon when she entered a left-hand curve on the roadway and lost control due to her unsafe speed. CHP said the Ford then entered the eastbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2002 Toyota Tacoma.

CHP said the woman driving the Ford died at the scene due to her injuries.

A female passenger in the Toyota was also pronounced dead at the scene. The man driving the Toyota was air-lifted from the scene but died from his injuries.

The identities of all those involved are being withheld pending an autopsy by the Kern County Coroner.

This deadly crash played a part in closing down the 178 Monday evening for several hours. Not long after this crash, a second incident happened nearby when a single vehicle rolled over on the roadway and sparked a brush fire near the canyon.

Fire crews from several agencies, including the Kern County Fire Department, responded to the scene and worked to control the blaze. KCFD last reported Monday night that the blaze burned 12 acres and crews reached 50% containment. Firefighters with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management worked overnight to help strengthen containment lines and extinguish hotspots.