LODI, Calif. (AP) - A multicar crash at a busy Northern California intersection left five people dead, including a child, a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, authorities said. At least 12 people were injured in the crash Tuesday.
Witnesses reported seeing an SUV speeding, with the driver on a cellphone, right before the five-vehicle collision around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Lodi. Police were still investigating how the collision occurred.
Erin Andrews told KCRA-TV she was in the area in traffic when she spotted the SUV swerving around cars at high speeds.
Another witness, Westley Ruyle, told the station the driver almost hit a few vehicles before the crash. He said he called 911 after seeing a ``huge dust cloud.''
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``I approach and see this big old pile of mess, children laying out in the street, on the curb and bodies everywhere and vehicles totally messed up,'' he said.
Shattered glass, metal shards and chunks of bumpers were scattered across the roadway, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported. Emergency workers spread powder on the street to absorb oil, gasoline and bloodstains, according to the newspaper.
Lodi police Det. Eric Bradley said children were among the injured. He did not know the extent of the injuries, but said three of the victims were in surgery late Tuesday night.
In addition to heavy vehicle traffic, the area also has many pedestrians, he said.
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Lodi, a city of more than 60,000 people, is about 35 miles south of Sacramento.
