Wrightwood Highway Crash
Four Dead and Two Critically Injured in Wrightwood Highway Crash
Anonymous
Key Points
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The Hyundai Veloster was carrying six people even though it is designed to seat five, according to authorities.
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San Bernardino County Fire spokesperson Chris Prater said rescuers initially did not know how many people had been in the vehicle because passengers were scattered outside it; a search determined that five had been ejected, while the sixth was wearing a seatbelt before removing it and exiting the vehicle.
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The fire department response included an ambulance, a medic engine and two air ambulances, with the two surviving victims flown to a local trauma center.
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Three other vehicles—a white Scion XB, silver Toyota Camry and white Jeep Wrangler—stopped on the shoulder after the crash, although investigators had not determined whether their occupants witnessed it.
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A woman who called 911 said her daughter was not in the Hyundai but had been traveling with the group in a caravan.
A Hyundai Veloster carrying six people veered off Angeles Crest Highway near Wrightwood early September 4 and rolled into a meadow below, killing four and critically injuring two others. California Highway Patrol investigators believe the car struck a pole before leaving the roadway, with five occupants ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
Rescue crews faced steep terrain and deployed about 40 feet of cable to reach the victims scattered across the mountainside. San Bernardino County Fire responded with an ambulance, medic engine, and two air ambulances, flying the two survivors to a local trauma center. The victims' identities had not been released pending family notification.
Overcrowding and Seat Belt Failures in Fatal Crash
The Hyundai Veloster was designed to seat five people but carried six at the time of the crash, according to authorities. California Highway Patrol reported that none of the occupants were wearing seat belts, a critical factor in the severity of injuries. One passenger removed their seat belt before exiting the vehicle during the rollover.
Rescuers initially faced confusion about the total number of people involved. San Bernardino County Fire spokesperson Chris Prater explained that five passengers were ejected and scattered outside the vehicle, making it difficult for crews to immediately determine how many people were in the car.
Rescue Operation on Steep Mountain Terrain
Emergency responders faced significant challenges reaching the crash site in the mountainside meadow. Rescue crews used approximately 40 feet of cable to lower themselves down the steep embankment and extract the victims from the wreckage. The rescue operation required coordination between ground teams and two air ambulances stationed nearby.
The two critically injured survivors were airlifted to a local trauma center for treatment. The remaining four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the exact cause of the crash and whether speed or road conditions played a role.
Witness Vehicles and Questions About the Caravan
Three vehicles—a white Scion XB, silver Toyota Camry, and white Jeep Wrangler—stopped on the highway shoulder immediately after the crash. California Highway Patrol investigators have not yet determined whether the occupants of these vehicles witnessed the collision or arrived afterward.
A woman who called 911 reported that her daughter was not in the Hyundai but had been traveling with the group in a separate vehicle caravan. This detail suggests the six people in the crashed vehicle were part of a larger group traveling together on Angeles Crest Highway early that morning.
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