A man, woman and their two dogs were killed in a fiery collision in San Onofre Saturday night, California Highway Patrol officials confirmed.
The fatal crash happened around 10:40 p.m. on southbound Interstate 5, just north of the San Onofre Inspection Facility near Camp Pendleton.
CHP officials say a Silver Chevy Silverado truck occupied by the man, woman and dogs was traveling in the third lane at an unknown rate of speed when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle veered to the right, slammed into a pole and exploded.
The pole that the truck crashed into is a pre-pass scanner that allows commercial vehicles to bypass the scales at the inspection facility, CHP officials said.
A motorist that was changing a tire on his own car on the side of the road witnessed the crash and explosion.
The witness told CHP officials that the truck veered into the pole suddenly, and that he could hear the male driver yelling for help following the crash.
The witness said the driver was unable to get the door open before the truck became engulfed in flames.
Officials say the man, woman and two dogs inside the car died at the scene. Due to the severity of the fire and extensive damage to the truck, the charred remains of the victims have not yet been identified. The Medical Examiner's office is now working to positively identify the victims.
The deadly collision is under investigation. Officials will determine whether alcohol or drugs played a factor in the crash.
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