Former CdM cheerleading coach among 3 killed in crash

BISHOP -- At least three people have been killed in a a fiery multi-vehicle crash near Bishop, including a cheerleading coach from California Baptist University according to California Highway Patrol officials.

The crash, on U.S. Highway 395, was reported just before 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Three vans carrying members of California Baptist University’s cross country team were traveling northbound when a southbound Ford SUV drifted off the shoulder, swerved into the center median and then struck the second of the three vans, CHP Officer Dennis Cleland said.

Two people inside the SUV were killed along with CBU cheerleading Coach and former Corona del Mar High School cheerleading coach Wendy Rice, who was driving the van that was struck, officials said. Twelve others were injured.

The third van avoided the collision, but a vehicle behind it crashed into the burning SUV. One person in that vehicle suffered third-degree burns, officials said.

Cleland said as many as six people may have died in the collision. The Inyo County coroner’s office had confirmed three fatalities as of 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.