Five people were killed and six others seriously injured when a car struck a group of 12 motorcycles on a California desert highway Saturday. Police are still searching for another car, which left the scene of the afternoon accident. Read and watch more after the jump…
The bikers are part of the Saddle Tramps motorcycle group in Lakeside, California. They were taking a casual ride on their Harley-Davidsons to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary.
“I was one of the first emergency officials on the scene. Of my 23 years on the department, it was the most devastating scene I’ve been to, and I’ve seen a lot of fatal accidents,” Deeann Goudie, a spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol told CNN.
The motorcycles were on a highway in El Centro, Imperial County, just east of San Diego, when a gold Honda Civic tried to pass them, police said. Goudie said the Honda passed the motorcycles, but a Dodge Avenger swerving to avoid hitting the Honda struck the motorcycles head on.
Four motorcyclists and a passenger in the Avenger died on the scene. Five of the six people injured were in serious condition, Goudie said.
“The gold Honda Civic left the scene without stopping and police want to talk with that driver,” Goudie said. “We’re looking for a 1995 to 2000 model-year gold Honda Civic.”
