Wrong-way driver also killed on the spot.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: In a horrific two-car crash in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where a car driving the wrong way crashed into another car on a freeway, three people died, and two others were severely injured.
The wrong-way driver on the 210 Freeway just west of Day Creek Road on the early hours of Sunday was identified as Mack A. Jaramillo, 28, of La Habra, according to the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office. He was the sole occupant of a 2011 Hyundai, reported the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, quoting California Highway Patrol Sgt. Josh Buffum said. Investigators were looking into the possibility he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The other four victims, the two who died and two got injured were all in the other car, a 2013 Hyundai, and were related to each other. The dead were identified as Falguni Shah, 38, of Fontana, who ran a catering business, and Veena Shah, 42, who was visiting from Leicester, England.
Falguni Shah is survived by her husband Dharmesh Shah and two children — a daughter, 9, and son, 19.
The driver of the 2013 Hyundai, 60-year-old Nitin Shah of Chino Hills, and front passenger Jyotsna Shah, 56, also of Chino Hills were hospitalized with major injuries, Buffum said, reported the Tribune.
The Associated Press reported that the Shah family was returning from a family reunion when they became involved in the violent collision.
Jyotsna Shah was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, where she was receiving care for broken bones. She said her husband was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was being treated for injuries including fractures in both legs.
Rancho Cucamonga fire Battalion Chief Eric Noreen said firefighters had to cut open both of the wrecked cars to gain access to the victims, said the Tribune. Jaramillo, Falguni Shah and Veena Shah were pronounced dead at the scene.
The BBC reported that Veena’s Shah daughter, Freya Shah, was in another car and saw the wrong car pass by that hit and killed her mother and aunt.
Freya Shah, 19, saw the car going in the wrong direction about 10 minutes before it hit the car her mother and aunt were in. Freya, her 15-year-old brother Zenith Shah, her cousins and uncle were in another car.
“We got home and around half an hour later we got worried,” said Freya Shah, reported the BBC. “We started ringing them and no-one was picking up so we got in the car and drove back the way we came. We saw the horrifying scene but were told by officers to wait at a gas station. After waiting at the gas station my uncle, cousin and brother walked to the scene and that was when we were told about the tragic news.”
Speaking about her mother, Freya said: “She was a beloved mother and wife, the pillar of our life, and she will be missed immensely.