Nine people die in head-on accident in Fresno County

FRESNO, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol says nine people were killed in a violent head-on collision in Fresno County.

Authorities say seven of the nine people who died in the crash are children.

The collision occurred around 8 p.m. Friday night on Highway 33, just south of Sutter Avenue.

Authorities say the driver of a Dodge was going south on Highway 33 and the driver of a Ford was going north. The Ford was approaching the Dodge and when the collision was about to happen, the Dodge veered onto the shoulder.

The Dodge overcorrected and collided with the front of the Ford, causing the Ford to catch on fire. They were all inside the Ford when the car caught fire.

Investigators say there were eight people inside the Ford with only five possible seats.

The names of those involved have not been released, but the driver of the Dodge was a 28-year-old man.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is from a previous broadcast and will be updated.