A suspected drunk driver going in the wrong direction on the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar was traveling faster than 100 mph when she caused an accident early Sunday that killed six people, witnesses told the California Highway Patrol.
Olivia Carolee Culbreath, 21, of Fontana, has been arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and felony manslaughter, said Rodrigo Jimenez, a CHP spokesman.
Culbreath is in serious but stable condition at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center with a broken femur and a ruptured bladder, Jimenez said. She was conscious and was questioned by authorities, Jimenez added.
She was heading east on the westbound 60 Freeway about 4:40 a.m. when her red Chevrolet Camaro collided head-on with a red Ford Explorer, authorities said. Another vehicle was also involved in the accident, Jimenez said. At least two people were ejected from their vehicles, he said.
Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two people died at UC Irvine Medical Center, authorities said.
Five of the people killed were women and one was a male, authorities say.
The victims included a 24-year-old woman from Chino and a 24-year-old woman from Rialto, said Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner's office. Both were passengers in Culbreath's car. Another victim, a 47-year-old male is believed to have been a passenger in the Ford Explorer.
The victims' names have not been released, pending notification of family members.
Standing near the crash scene as investigators measured skid marks and inspected debris, Jimenez called the crash “a horrific collision.” Authorities said Culbreath had been traveling northbound on the southbound 57 Freeway before heading on to the 60 Freeway.
Investigators "believe from what they found in the vehicle that alcohol was involved," Corral said. Authorities were seeking to have blood tests conducted.
“This tragedy is 100% preventable,” Jimenez said.
A SigAlert was issued at the north Diamond Bar Boulevard exit of the 60 Freeway just before 5 a.m., according to CHP traffic logs. All lanes of the 60 Freeway were closed for hours in both directions.
CHP Officer Patrick Kimball said the SigAlert was lifted about 1:40 p.m. and all lanes were reopened.