Investigation Continues In Fatal SR-78 Crash

Driver Mary Helen Aguilar, Daughters Camryn And Jennifer Killed In Collision; Other Driver Also Killed

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Posted: 08/29/2012
Last Updated: 294 days ago

California Highway Patrol officers Wednesday are continuing to investigate what led to a head-on collision in the Santa Ysabel area that killed both drivers and two children, and left several other people injured.

» Video: Investigation Continues In Fatal SR-78 Crash

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Tuesday's crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on state Route 78 west of Santa Ysabel near the road's junction with state Route 79.

10News learned Mary Helen Aguilar, 33, and her daughters -- 8-year-old Camryn and 9-year-old Jennifer -- died in the collision. Aguilar's other daughter, 6-year-old Audrey, suffered severe spinal and intestinal injuries. Passenger Gail Romero, 67, was seriously injured, thirteen-year-old Irene Tassola suffered broken bones and a 3- and 8-year-old boy were also hurt, 10News learned.

The group, with Mary Helen Aguilar behind the wheel, was in a Honda Odyssey headed east.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office Wednesday said 33-year-old Francisco Raul Higueros Perez was driving a 2010 Pontiac Vibe in the opposite direction.

"There are people who lost their lives. Can we fix the road?" said Susie Fulton, who was severely injured in a 2010 crash on the same stretch of road.

"A car pulled out. They didn't see us, we didn't see them until the very last minute," Fulton said of her crash.

Fulton suffered injuries that affect how she is able to use her legs. She sued Caltrans after her lawyer discovered there was something wrong with the road.

"We found that Caltrans didn't follow its own rules with respect with what's called sight distance," said Steve Estey, Fulton's lawyer.

Estey said on that road, drivers are supposed to be able to see 500 feet in front of them in every direction, but that isn't the case.

"Caltrans has been aware this has been a dangerous situation condition for a long time," said Estey.

Copyright Do you have more information about this story? Click here to contact usCopyright 2012 by 10News.com. City News Service contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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