Four Killed in Paso Robles Car Accident Christmas Eve
Four people were killed on Christmas Eve when their car plowed into a semi-truck on Highway 101 and Wellsona Road just after 6 p.m.
The deceased were identified as Crystal Lee Reuck, 22, Taylor M. Swarthout, 22, Karen Michelle Szasz, 45, and David Castillo, 42. All from San Miguel, CA.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of the semi, 55-year-old Philip Ken Trujillo of Las Vegas, was turning left onto Wellsona Road using the left-only turn lane on northbound side of the 101. Reuck, driving a 1992 Chrysler van, was traveling on the 101.
“As the semi-truck and trailer crossed the southbound lanes of U.S. 101, the Chrysler collided with the trailer and traveled completely underneath it,” CHP said in a statement.
Reuck, Swarthout, and Szasz were pronounced dead at the scene. Castillo was transported to Twin Cities Hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
Trujillo was not injured.
Family recently told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that the four friends were heading to a Christmas Eve dinner the night of the accident.
It is unclear what caused the collision but CHP is investigating the accident.
Here’s a Google Maps image of Wellsona Road and Highway 101 intersection in Paso Robles.
