Two children and an 18-year-old were killed in a head-on crash in Lemon Grove Wednesday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) confirmed.
The crash occurred just after 4 p.m. on Massachusetts and Lemon Grove avenues.
According to deputies, five people, including three children were in a black Acura when it turned in front of the SUV, colliding head-on. The impact severely damaged the Acura and first responders used the jaws of life to extricate the victims.
Two people were initially reported dead but deputies later confirmed that a third child had died. The children were ages 7, 13 and 18 and all were passengers inside the Acura.
At lease three victims were still in the hospital, including a 4-year-old child.
Stan Harding told NBC 7, he was among the people who tried to help the victims after the crash. He said he got one passenger and a little girl out of a vehicle but the others were pinned inside.
"I stood right here and tears just came to my eyes," Harding said.
One woman said drivers tend to speed in that area all the time and although she has reported it, nothing has been done.
"[Drivers] need to pay attention and they need to slow down," Stephanie Lopez said.
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She added that she has children of her own and can't imagine what the family of the child was going through.
"It's so sad. It's so heartbreaking," Lopez said. "When my children got home from childcare, you appreciate them even more after hearing and seeing something like this."
One dog was reportedly killed in the crash and two others injured.
Fire officials said the intersection will be closed for at least eight hours and advised motorists to avoid the area.
No other information was immediately available.
