Freedom, CA : 4 people dead and 4 injured following a head-on crash in Santa Cruz on Sunday night, March 1, 2015

Four people are dead and four injured after a head-on crash on the 7100 block of Freedom Boulevard near Shadowmere Way around 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened after a black Mercedes sedan, traveling west on Freedom, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a gray Ford F-150 truck just west of Valencia Road, according to CHP officer Brad Sadek.

The driver and two of the six passengers in the Mercedes were pronounced dead at the scene, Sadek said. None were wearing seat belts. Another passenger in the Mercedes was transported to Watsonville Community Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Ford truck, a 56-year-old Aptos man, suffered major injuries and was transported, via AMR ground ambulance to Dominican Hospital where he was taken, by CalStar air ambulance to Valley Medical Center.

Two passengers in the Mercedes were transported to Valley Medical Center with major injuries; one passenger was transported to Natividad Medical Center, also suffering major injuries, Sadek said.

While the investigation continues, Sadek said it appears alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the collision.

The names of the deceased have not been released pending notification of relatives.

The head-on collision closed the road and left at least one vehicle overturned and another smoking. The Mercedes was left torn apart as firefighters worked to release the trapped victims.

Three air ambulances and four ground ambulances were called as well as multiple fire departments and law enforcement.

The crash occurred near Aptos High, leaving glass covering the road. Freedom was closed at Valencia and Mariner for hours as the CHP investigated.

Source :
Cops and courts: Four dead, four injured in Aptos crash