There were 27 passengers in the SUV that hit half a truck full of gravel, said Judy Cruz, the general manager of the emergency department at El Centro Regional Medical Center.
She said 14 people were dead on the spot and another person died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Other passengers are treated at El Centro Regional Medical Center and Pioneers Memorial Hospital in nearby Brawley.
“Patients are going through a rough time, as you can imagine,” said Adolphe Edward, CEO of El Centro Regional Medical Center. “This was a major accident and we’re taking care of them in the emergency department.”
The Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs is caring for four patients from the crash, hospital director Todd Burke told CNN. Three of the four patients are in the intensive care unit and all four have been flown directly from the scene to the trauma center.
California Highway Patrol Officer Arturo Platero said the vehicle was heading west on Norrish Road near State Route 115 when it traveled “in the direct path” of a large truck heading north on 115. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
A video posted to social media showing the aftermath of the crash shows a number of police, ambulance and fire vehicles on the scene. The road seems to be completely closed because some rescuers want to help the injured.
A truck with a scissors blade, with two trailers attached, is on the road. While the camera turns to the left, two helicopters can be seen.
CNN contacted the person who posted the video, but they did not immediately respond.
The crash site is located in southeastern California, about 10 miles east of El Centro and about 10 miles north of the Mexican border.