4 dead, including 3 Calif. family members, after van strikes SUV that then slams into tree

4 dead after van apparently runs stop sign in CA

PATTERSON, Calif. — Four people, including three members of a family, have died when their sports utility vehicle was slammed into a tree in Northern California.

California Highway Patrol investigators say a van ran a stop sign Tuesday and struck the SUV, which then slammed into a tree outside of Patterson, Calif.

Officials say the family members killed in the crash were 49-year-old James Donald Anderson; his 44-year-old wife, Emma Gabriela Anderson; and their 15-year-old son, Andrew David Anderson. All were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the van, 40-year-old James Edward Rowell, also died at the scene.

A fourth person in the SUV, 24-year-old James Anderson, suffered serious injuries.

Patterson is about 20 miles southwest of Modesto.