Two Killed in 101 Crash East of Reyes Adobe

UPDATE: A car accident on the westbound 101 freeway east of Reyes Adobe Road early Friday left two Santa Paula men dead and a third in critical condition.

Cousins Josh Dubon, 23, and Richard Vasquez, 24, of Santa Paula in Ventura County, died at the scene, according to the coroner. Dubon's 21-year-old brother Joel survived.

The accident occurred about 4:40 a.m., said California Highway Patrol Officer Ed Jacobs. Dubon was driving a silver compact car when it crashed into the back of a tractor trailer that was parked on the right side of the roadway. 

The truck driver suffered possible minor injuries. He told police he had pulled over to check his tires and was parked in the far right lane with his hazard lights on, officials said.

Dubon and Vasquez of the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

Los Angeles County firefighters were forced to cut the roof off of the car to free Joel Dubon in the back seat, Jacobs said. The passenger told CHP officers that he was asleep at the time of the crash. Dubon had been wearing a seatbelt, according to the preliminary investigation. His older brother and cousin had not.

Highway 101 was shut down completely while a helicopter landed to airlift the injured man to UCLA Medical Center. The three right lanes and the westbound Kanan Road onramp were closed until 9 a.m. while CHP officers investigated the accident. All lanes are now clear.