2 Kids Killed in Christmas Day Crash, Driver Arrested for Child Endangerment By Charlotte Phillipp

A man in California has been arrested for child endangerment after a multi-vehicle crash on Christmas Day ended in the death of two minors.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed to KTLA and Bakersfield Now that two cars collided on Interstate 5 in Lebec, a small town located in northern Los Angeles County, just before 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, Dec. 25.

CHP told the outlets that the crash occurred in the northbound lane of I-5, south of Vista Del Lago Road, when a gold Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the center median.

The driver was waiting with a family member when a blue Nissan Rogue — which was traveling northbound and carrying two adults and six minors — crashed into the Toyota.

According to CHP, the driver of the Nissan lost control before crashing into the rear side of the Toyota. Three minors were ejected from the Nissan, and although first responders attempted lifesaving measures, two died at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan, identified by CHP as Jorge Preciado, was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment.

Preciado was later booked at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in Santa Clarita. The victims’ ages and identities were not made public, per the outlets.

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Officials are still investigating why the driver of the Nissan lost control of the vehicle.

“Today’s loss of two young lives is heartbreaking,” CHP Captain Purvis told the outlets in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the families of those involved in this tragedy. This is an important reminder that child safety seats are of utmost importance in providing safety on the roadway.”

Much of Southern California saw severe weather during the days leading up to Christmas.

More than 11 inches of rain was measured in some parts of Los Angeles County on Wednesday night, Dec. 24, according to The Guardian. The National Weather Service noted that there may be flash flooding on roads, streams and areas that were affected by the L.A. fires earlier in 2025.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a Declaration of Local Emergency on Dec. 24, and officials warned of hazardous driving conditions in parts of northern Los Angeles County.

That same day, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in L.A. County and other Southern California counties, noting that the extreme weather conditions could cause flooding and landslide risks.

According to NBC News, at least four people died across California due to weather-related incidents.

In one incident, a motorist crashed and died on a roadway in South Sacramento. In San Diego, a 61-year-old man was killed after a large portion of a tree fell on him due to heavy winds.