3 dead, 2 children injured in Highway 44 crash in Shingletown

Three people died and two were badly injured on Tuesday night after their SUV hit a deer and then a tree in Shingletown, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The five people, all from Shingletown, were traveling in the westbound lane of Highway 44 at 7:55 p.m. when their Toyota 4Runner hit the deer, just east of the Brush Creek Lane intersection, CHP Sgt. Ken Giordano said.

Among the dead were two adults and a person under the age of 18. Two other children, both younger than 13 years old, suffered serious injuries, according to the CHP.

That intersection is less than a mile east of the Shingletown California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection office.

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The SUV hit the deer, turned to the right and hit a large pine tree, the CHP said.

First responders took the children to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, where they were flown to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for further treatment, Giordano said.

The investigation into the collision is still ongoing, but it's possible the driver lost control of the 1995 SUV after hitting the deer or while trying to avoid it. The animal either jumped into the middle of the road, or was standing there in the dark, Giordano said.

It’s common for deer to cross Highway 44, especially near Shingletown, Giordano said. Motorists should be careful driving on roads after dark in rural areas.

The road through Shingletown was dry when the collision happened. It's not known if alcohol or other substances were involved, he said.

The Shasta County Coroner’s Office will release more information after its investigation, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tim Mapes said on Wednesday morning.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the CHP at 530-225-0500.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 3 dead, 2 children injured in Highway 44 crash in Shingletown