Head-On PCH Collision Kills 3, Splits Mercedes In Two

Three men were killed when the driver of a Mercedes lost control and crashed head-on into an oncoming car on the Pacific Coast Highway just after midnight Tuesday morning, CHP says.

The crash happened in Ventura County just south of Mugu Rock, Ventura CHP Sgt. David Hong told KTLA. The driver of the Mercedes as well as the driver and passenger in the Honda were all pronounced dead at the scene. The names of the deceased haven't been released, though CBS Los Angeles reports the male victims in the Honda were 55 and 61 years old.

Witnesses told the CHP that the Mercedes was speeding incredibly fast north on PCH when the driver lost control near La Jolla Canyon Road. The car spun out and hit a Honda driving in the opposite direction. The force of impact was so strong that the Mercedes split in two. Initially, investigators believed that a third car was involved.

"The Mercedes was cut in half," Hong said. "The front end was spun around. The rear end went toward the rocks toward the ocean. And the driver was partially ejected."

The highway was shut down in both directions for about two hours while authorities investigated.