5 people killed as SUV crashes, burns on OC freeway in Mission Viejo

5 killed in fiery freeway crash in Orange County

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. — Five people have died after their sport utility vehicle crashed and caught fire on an Orange County freeway in Mission Viejo.

California Highway Patrol Officer Gabe Montoya says witnesses reported the SUV blew a tire Tuesday on Interstate 5. He says the vehicle went over an embankment, rolled several times and landed on its roof before catching fire.

The Orange County Coroner’s office says a 37-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were inside the SUV, along with three other females. Their bodies were burned beyond recognition.

Information from: The Orange County Register, www.ocregister.com

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) — The California Highway Patrol says it appears five people have died after their sport utility vehicle crashed and caught fire on an Orange County freeway in Mission Viejo.

Officer Gabe Montoya says witnesses reported that the SUV blew a tire on Interstate 5.

Montoya says the vehicle went out of control, went over an embankment, rolled several times and landed on its roof before catching fire.

Officer Chris Goodwin told KCAL-TV the passengers apparently were trapped.

Montoya says it appears five people were killed but the bodies have not been removed and the figure could change.