A woman killed in a three-vehicle crash with a big rig hauling a tandem trailer in Llano was not wearing a seat belt, the California Highway Patrol revealed Thursday.
The victim, who was identified only as E. Tsatinyan, was killed when a 2012 Chevrolet, being driven west on Pearblossom Highway (state Route 138) west of 195th Street East, just before noon Wednesday, crossed the center line and collided with an eastbound 2015 Peterbilt hauling two bottom-dump trailers, fully loaded with gravel, according to the CHP.
“The driver of the Peterbilt was unable to prevent the truck tractor and trailers from entering the westbound traffic lanes and striking a 2026 Range Rover traveling in the opposite direction,” according to a CHP news release.
Tsatinyan, a passenger in the Range Rover, was unbelted, suffered fatal injuries and she was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics, according to the CHP.
Three other people were injured in the crash and were taken to a hospital, according to a fire department spokeswoman.
According to a report from a videographer at the scene, Tsatinyan was in the rear of the Range Rover and a woman and a girl who were in the Chevrolet Sedan were airlifted to a hospital.
The crash and response shut down the Pearblossom Highway for hours.
The fatal collision remains under investigation and anyone with information about the crash was urged to contact Officer M. Beverly of the CHP’s Antelope Valley Area office at 661-743-6060 during business hours. After hours calls should be directed to the CHP’s Los Angeles Traffic Management Center at 323-259-3200.
“The CHP reminds all motorists of the critical importance of always wearing a seatbelt and ensuring all passengers are properly restrained,” the agency said in its statement. “Seatbelts significantly reduce the risk of fatal and serious injuries in traffic collisions.”