Authorities identify three victims in deadly crash near Julian

JULIAN, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities have released the identities of three people killed in a head-on collision earlier this month along State Route 78 near Julian. The crash occurred on April 4 along westbound SR-78, just west of Mastros Trailer Park Road. The collision involved two pickup trucks and prompted a full closure of the highway in both directions as emergency crews responded. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office released the names of the victims this week. One of the victim's is 72-year-old Mark Gerald Vaugh Straass of San Diego. Authorities say Straass was driving one of the pickup trucks involved in the crash. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center, where he later died on April 6. The second victim, identified as 66-year-old Jesus Canales Lopez, was driving the other pickup truck. Officials say his vehicle collided with Straass' truck before both vehicles overturned multiple times. Canales Lopez was pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim, 48-year-old Maria Del Carmen Contreras Albino, was a passenger in Canales Lopez's vehicle. First responders extricated her from the wreckage and attempted life-saving efforts, but she was also pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released information regarding potential contributing factors.