7 die when SUV overturns into Central Valley canal

Two adults and five children died late Saturday when an SUV in which they were riding ran a stop sign near Kettleman City, Calif., struck an embankment and landed on its roof in a canal, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The 1992 Ford Explorer, which was carrying nine people, two of whom survived, overturned in a dirt-lined bed filled with 5 feet of water, the CHP said.

Killed were the driver, Sergia Olvera, 31, and passengers, Oracio Flores, 32; Celene Pompa, 13; Jennifer Salas, 7; Miguel Flores, 3; Arcelia Flores, 2; and Oracio Flores Jr., 5 months, none of whom were wearing seat belts or were in car seats, the CHP said. All were from Earlimart, Calif.

One of the survivors, Dalia Olvera, 23, crawled out of the vehicle after sustaining moderate injuries. She was the only person wearing a seat belt. The second survivor, Esmeralda Pompa, 10, was pulled from the vehicle by a passerby. She was unhurt despite not wearing a seat belt, the CHP said.

The CHP said the vehicle was traveling in excess of 55 mph.