2 Dead, 2 Injured In Crash Between Sheriff's Patrol Car, SUV

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities said two people were killed and two others -- including a sheriff's deputy -- were injured Saturday following the crash of a sheriff's patrol car and a SUV in Palmdale.

The crash occurred at the intersection of 17th Street East and Avenue R at 4:27 p.m., according to Inspector Scott Miller of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The two deceased were declared dead at the scene,  he said. They were among four people traveling in an Explorer.

Officials said the injuries were minor. The deputy who was driving appeared to be fine.

Said one witness, "He got out of the car with his cell phone in his hand."

CBS2's Cristy Fajardo reported from the scene of the accident.

The family of one of the victims described her as a fun-loving 20-year-old woman who was the youngest of four children.

Fajardo said at the crash site, tension was fueled by heartache -- a grieving father screamed at deputies and was visibly upset and inconsolable. He screamed out several times, "My baby!"

The woman and her boyfriend were ejected from the Explorer. Family told Fajardo the victims were just going to the store, a routine trip.

A witness who didn't want his face shown said the patrol car was speeding and it broadsided the SUV. "He was flying with no lights on, no siren lights on. And the truck was coming across Avenue R and the police car just hit him."

The force of the collision caused the two backseat passengers to be ejected.

Speaking for the CHP, Captain Gretchen Jacobs said there were conflicting reports about whether the SUV stopped at the stop sign as well as the reported speeds of both vehicles.

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