At least 15 Killed in crash in Southern California: Authorities

At least 15 people were killed in an accident involving an S.U.V. and a tractor-trailer in Southern California, the authorities said Tuesday. /VCG

At least 15 people were killed in an accident involving an S.U.V. and a tractor-trailer in Southern California, the authorities said Tuesday.

Jake Sanchez, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, said that there were "multiple fatalities" in the accident, and that the truck driver had minor injuries. The crash took place on State Route 115 in the area of El Centro, Calif., a city about 60 miles west of the Arizona border and near the border with Mexico.

Fourteen people were found dead at the scene, Judy Cruz, the managing director of the emergency department at the El Centro Regional Medical Center said at a news conference.

Seven people were taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center, where one person died, and two were taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, Calif.

"We believe there was 27 passengers in this S.U.V. that struck a semi truck full of gravel," Ms. Cruz said. Dr. Adolphe Edward, the chief executive officer of the medical center, called it a "major accident.”

(With input from agencies)