Victim in fatal crash identified as Yuba City woman

The woman who died in a two-car, head-on collision Saturday night near Meridian has been identified as Lorretta Lynn Deniz, 22, of Yuba City, the Sutter County coroner's office reported.

The California Highway Patrol released no new details about the crash, which sent nine people, including an infant, to several regional hospitals.

The accident occurred about 8:10 on Highway 20 between Drexler and Farmlan roads, a little more than a mile east of Meridian.

The CHP reported Saturday that Deniz was driving east on the highway when she collided with a westbound Ford van carrying at least nine passengers.

The collision occurred in the westbound lane, the CHP had reported.

What role speed or alcohol may have had to do with the cause of the accident was not immediately known.

Four airflight medical helicopters were brought to the scene.

Some injured also were transported by ambulances.

The names of the injured have yet to be released. Their medical conditions were unknown Sunday.