Two dead in three-car crash in Nipomo Monday night

NIPOMO, Calif. – Two people died in a three-car crash just before 6:30 p.m. Monday at Orchard and Cherry Blossom in Nipomo, according to CAL Fire SLO.

The San Luis Obispo CHP confirmed Tuesday afternoon that 70-year-old Fernando Contreras of Santa Maria and 49-year-old Darlene Leticia Scruggs of Nipomo died in the accident.

Contreras, for an unknown reason, drove his Chevy directly into the path of Scruggs' RAV 4 traveling northbound on Orchard Road with another 63-year-old Nipomo man in a BMW behind Scruggs, according to the SLO CHP.

Contreras rolled over in his Chevy and crashed into the BMW as it rolled, before the car rolled over on its side near a dirt area east of the roadway, according to the SLO CHP.

Scruggs' car got pushed off the road onto a dirt path west of the roadway and the 63-year-old's BMW came to rest in the northbound lane of Orchard Road following impact, detailed the SLO CHP.

Contreras is believed to have traveled the wrong way at an unknown high speed before the crash due to the severe damage on all three cars, according to the SLO CHP.

Both Contreras and Scruggs were pronounced dead at the scene due to their injuries and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol are factors in the crash, detailed the SLO CHP.

Both lanes were closed on Orchard Road due to the accident, according to CAL Fire SLO.

The crash remains under investigation and those with information are asked to contact the SLO CHP.