BARSTOW, Calif. - Three people were killed and two injured Saturday when a car tumbled across traffic lanes over and burst into flames on Interstate 15, forcing the closure of the main route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, authorities said.
The single-vehicle accident occurred about 10 miles north of Barstow at 12:01 p.m., said Cheryl Hansen, a California Highway Patrol communications supervisor.
Killed were Marylin Cadag, 44, of Anaheim, and Castrenso Ruiz, 85, and Dolores Ruiz, 77, both of Hawaiian Gardens.
Marfilina Ruiz, 38, from the Philippines, was listed in critical condition at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
The driver, Chuchi Ruiz, 50, also from the Philippines, suffered moderate injuries. She was treated at Barstow Community Hospital and released, said Cindy Martinez, a hospital health supervisor.
The accident occurred when the car made an abrupt lane change, swerved from side to side and overturned several times as it rolled across traffic lanes before catching fire, a CHP report said.
Cadag, Dolores Ruiz and Marfilina Ruiz were in the rear seat, and were hurled from the car. Castrenso Ruiz, in the front seat, was wearing a seat belt and remained inside the vehicle, but died in the fire, the CHP said.
The crash closed the interstate for about four hours.