Van-Pickup Crash Kills 2 in Palmdale

Two men were killed in a Palmdale collision involving a drunk driver Saturday night, authorities said.

James A. Harris, 37, of Phelan and Robert H. Kujath, 25, of Little Rock died after Harris’ van hit Kujath’s pickup truck at 106th Street and Avenue T in Palmdale about 6:30 p.m.

California Highway Patrol Officer Dwight McDonald said Kujath, who was drunk, drove through the intersection at more than 80 m.p.h.

Harris was pronounced dead at the scene, but Kujath was still conscious when he was extricated from his pickup truck and flown by helicopter to Antelope Valley Medical Center. After hospital staff members drew a blood sample, Kujath was placed under arrest on suspicion of drunk driving, but he died shortly afterward, McDonald said.