Local News in Brief : San Juan Capistrano : Couple Killed as Trucks Collide on Interstate 15

A San Juan Capistrano couple were killed Sunday in Riverside County when their pickup truck was rammed by a second pickup that the California Highway Patrol said was being driven at excessive speed.

Miguel and Justina Sandoval, both 37, and passenger Beatiz Gallardo, 38, were headed south on Interstate 15 near Rancho California at 5:40 a.m. when the accident occurred, a CHP spokeswoman said. A pickup driven by Richard Tirrell, 22, a Marine based at Camp Pendleton, was also southbound, traveling at 90 to 100 m.p.h., the CHP said.

The Sandovals’ truck was going about 50 m.p.h. when it was rammed and overturned at least twice, ejecting the three passengers through the windshield, the CHP spokeswoman said.

The Sandovals were pronounced dead at the scene. Gallardo was taken to Riverside General Hospital for treatment of major injuries. No injuries were reported for Tirrell.

Tirrell said the collision was caused by a third unknown vehicle that struck him and knocked his truck out of control, the spokeswoman said. The CHP investigation is continuing.