Overview
- A 2016 Hyundai Veloster carrying six people left Highway 2 near Flume Canyon Road early Friday, struck a utility pole and rolled down an embankment, killing four and critically injuring two.
- Responders found five occupants ejected from the vehicle and one person who had been belted had removed the restraint and exited the wreckage before crews arrived.
- Rescue teams used air ambulances and about 40 feet of cable to reach and extract scattered victims from difficult, steep terrain before two survivors were flown to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
- Officials have said alcohol is being treated as a possible contributing factor and the CHP has opened an active investigation that will include crash reconstruction and toxicology testing.
- Three victims have been publicly identified as local residents and the crash has deeply affected the small Wrightwood community while authorities work to confirm the fourth identity and release final findings.