Six lives were abruptly ended in a series of tragic events on the Pearblossom Highway in the Antelope Valley, one of the accidents occurring mere hours after the other. The first deadly collision happened Sunday night around 8 p.m. on State Route 138 at the intersection of 106th Street East in Littlerock, as reported by KABC. Two vehicles, a Toyota and a Mitsubishi, were involved, leaving five individuals dead.

The aftermath depicted both vehicles jettisoned off the roadway, with the Toyota flipped in the brush and the Mitsubishi resting on its side on the dirt shoulder. According to FOX LA, all five victims were pronounced dead, with details on their identities undisclosed pending notification of next of kin. The highway was closed for hours as California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers investigated the wreckage, and traffic alerts indicated turmoil had taken place.

An additional victim succumbed to their injuries in a second tragic incident less than half a mile away from the first disaster site. In less than 10 hours following the initial tragedy, another fatal encounter occurred just before 5:30 a.m. Monday, stated KTLA. This involved a big rig and a Honda minivan at Hampel Avenue. The driver of the Honda was declared dead at the scene, marking the sixth death in under a day on this stretch of highway.

The causes of both crashes are still under investigation, and information about the deceased from the second accident has not been made available. Lane closures and consequent notification of delays through a Sigalert were finally lifted around 4 a.m. Monday, as first responders and CHP officers carried out the grim task of piecing together the incidents.