A mom and her four children died in a fiery collision after a driver failed to yield at a stop sign and slammed into their SUV, the California Highway Patrol said Sunday.
The family's vehicle was thrown across the intersection and burst into flames after being broadsided by a minivan on Saturday night in Fresno, according to Officer Axel Reyes.
The 29-year-old woman and kids aged 1, 3, 6, and 11 were pronounced dead at the scene.
The children's father, who was traveling in a different car behind his family, suffered burns as he tried to free them.
"He didn't see the actual impact but arrived seconds later and rushed to the burning car," Reyes said. "By that point, the car was almost fully engulfed."
Authorities said they did not suspect the driver of the minivan, a 41-year-old woman, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol but "an investigation was continuing," Reyes added.