3 killed, 3 hospitalized in head-on car crash in Hemet

HEMET, Calif. (KABC) -- Three people were killed and three others hospitalized after two cars were involved in a head-on crash in Hemet early Sunday morning.

Authorities said around 1:35 a.m. the dispatch center received calls about a car crash near Florida Avenue and Lake Street.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and found a silver Ford sedan and a black GMC SUV had crashed head-on in the westbound lanes of Florida Street.

Three people in the sedan died at the scene and a fourth person was hospitalized. Two people in the black SUV were also hospitalized. All three people were expected to survive, authorities said.

During the investigation, authorities found out the Ford drove east on Florida Avenue at a high speed and that the SUV was traveling westbound on the same road.

For some unknown reason, the sedan swerved into the westbound lanes and hit the SUV. Authorities said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

The names of the victims were not released pending the coroner's identification. The investigation was ongoing.

Anyone with information was asked to call Officer Figueroa at (951) 765-2400.