Serious crash near Kirkwood injures multiple people

5:00 p.m. update: Seven people were injured and transported to area hospitals Tuesday after a four-car crash in the "Ice Box" area on Highway 88.

Just after 1:00 p.m., a Toyota Highlander with three adults and three children inside was traveling westbound and, for reasons unknown at this time, went into a snowbank. A car following the Toyota then slammed into it.

A third car, a small, brand new Chevrolet, avoided the other two cars as they came upon the crash, but then ended up in a snowbank as well. The fourth car involved then ran into the Chevrolet.

Multiple emergency vehicles responded.

A young female juvenile in the Toyota was taken to Renown Hospital in Reno via Careflight with serious injuries. Four of the vehicle's occupants were transported to Barton Hospital, and the sixth, an infant in a car seat, was uninjured but went in the ambulance with the adults.

Both occupants in the Chevrolet were taken to Barton as well.

All victims taken to Barton had minor to moderate injuries according to CHP Officer Ruth Loehr.

The family in the Toyota just purchased the car in South Lake Tahoe and were taking it home.

This crash is still under investigation.

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Several people are on their way to the hospital after a crash on SR-88 near Kirkwood. The road is currently closed to allow for an investigation and for the accident to be cleared away. Alpine County Sheriff's Office said the estimated time of reopening the road is 4:30 p.m.

Multiple emergency vehicles responded to the scene including medical helicopters.

This is a developing story.