SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Authorities have identified the five people killed when two SUVs collided head-on outside Newcastle.
Utah Highway Patrol officials say 19-year-old Fernando Ruiz, of Cedar City, was heading eastbound on State Route 56 Saturday at 4:30 p.m. when his vehicle crossed into the opposite lane.
His Chevrolet Suburban hit a Ford Escape carrying four people: 58-year-old Jesus Jimenez-Lopez, 57-year-old Lydia Jimenez, 60-year-old Jose Jimenez and 19-year-old Juan Antonio Jimenez Sanchez.
According to troopers, the Escape went off the road, landing on its roof.
Ruiz’s Suburban burst into flames when it came to a stop.
All five people were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say it’s still not clear why Ruiz’s vehicle veered into the westbound lane.
Newcastle is a small town about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) north of St. George.
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