Anaheim

3 Anaheim Family Members Killed in 10 Freeway Crash Near Palm Springs

Two children were among those killed when a SUV and Tesla crashed near Palm Springs.

NBC Universal, Inc.

Three members of an Anaheim family, including two children, were killed Sunday in a tragic Mother's Day crash on the 10 Freeway.

The crash involving a Chevy Suburban and a Tesla was in the Whitewater area near Palm Springs. When the two vehicles collided, the Suburban with nine members of the same family lost control and hit the center divider.

Thirty-one-year-old Cecilia Villalobos and two girls, ages 10 and 12, in the back seats were ejected from the SUV and died. Four other children -- three girls, ages 3, 7 and 11, and a 15-year-old boy -- sitting in the back also suffered serious injuries.

A family member identified the two girls killed in the crash as Villalobos' daughters.

Villalobos was pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m. and the two young girls at 8:25 a.m., according to the county coroner's office. Relatives told NBCLA the family was heading to Thermal in the Coachella Valley for a Mother's Day celebration.

The driver and 41-year-old front passenger in the Suburban also were injured.

The CHP said not everyone was wearing a seatbelt.

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The Tesla driver was not injured.

"The speeds are still under investigation," said Officer Jason Montez, with the CHP. "We are trying to determine which vehicle changed lanes and ended up hitting each other."

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