A head-on collision occurred on Tuesday night on Pacific Coast Highway near Thornhill Broome Beach in Ventura County, resulting in five individuals being taken to local hospitals and causing a closure of the route in both directions for several hours.
Of the five individuals involved, two sustained major injuries. The accident, involving three vehicles, was reported at approximately 8:25 p.m. on a section of the highway between Point Mugu and the beach, in proximity to the entrance of the La Jolla Canyon trailhead, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred when a 19-year-old man from New Mexico, driving a blue 2012 Ford Fusion northbound with a 12-year-old passenger, crossed the double-yellow centerline north of La Jolla Canyon and collided head-on with a gray Subaru Forester and a white 2010 Toyota Yaris.
Following the crash, two passengers in the Toyota, two young women aged 18 and 19 from Oxnard, sustained major injuries and were transported by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center. One passenger suffered fractured vertebrae, while the other sustained a fractured sternum, as confirmed by the CHP.
Additionally, a 20-year-old woman from Oxnard in the Toyota and the occupants of the Ford were taken to local hospitals with injuries ranging from moderate to minor. Emergency medical crews treated a total of seven patients at the scene, as reported by Officer Ryan Ayala from the CHP’s Ventura-area office.
The drivers of the Toyota and Subaru, an 18-year-old man from Pacific Grove and a 33-year-old man from Oxnard respectively, did not require hospitalization. The CHP is conducting an investigation into the crash, with no indication of DUI playing a role, according to officials.
The closure of the highway in both directions lasted approximately two hours, with the road reopening around 10:30 p.m. Interested parties may refer to the provided source for potential updates on this developing story.