Two people were killed and two others were injured Thursday when a big rig collided with a vehicle on state Route 86 in Coachella.
The fatal crash was reported about 10:50 a.m. on southbound SR 86, south of Avenue 50, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Firefighters freed at least one person from the wreckage. Two people died at the scene, while two others were transported to an area hospital suffering from injuries ranging from minor to moderate, the Riverside County Fire Department reported.
Southbound SR-86 was closed at Interstate 10 for the investigation and wreckage removal, the CHP reported. The northbound direction was unaffected. Crews were diverting southbound SR-86 traffic at Avenue 50, then onto Polk Street, then onto Avenue 52, then back on the freeway.
Imperial Irrigation District crews were summoned to the scene to fix a damaged power pole.
The cause of the crash was under investigation. There was no information available regarding identities of the victims nor if they were in the big rig or vehicle.