Morgan Hill sisters who died in Highway 152 crash have been identified

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV)- Two Morgan Hill sisters who died in a crash on Highway 152 have been identified on Tuesday morning.

The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office identified the two victims as seven-year-old Elisa Ornelas and four-year-old Valentina Ornelas.

The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened last Friday morning on Highway 152 just west of Lake Road when a 25-year-old man was driving a Tesla and attempted to pass a slow-moving tractor by driving in the wrong-lane.

Officers said that the Tesla crashed into an on-coming car which set off a chain reaction.

Investigators said that the Tesla went on and crashed into the Dodge that had the Ornelas sisters inside the vehicle.

CHP said a total of five vehicles were involved in the crash. Investigators said that Elisa Ornelas died at the scene of the crash while her sister Valentina passed away at the hospital.

A one-year-old boy was also inside of the Dodge vehicle as well and was taken to the hospital. CHP said both parents survived the crash.

CHP Hollister-Gilroy said that there were five deadly crashes on Highway 152 in 2023.

Officer Michael Sakamoto said that the road is getting busier and it could be the reason more deadly crashes are happening in the area.

"What's happened in this surrounding area is an influx of housing and the increase of commuting public," Sakamoto said.

The Ornelas family spoke to KTVU and said that the girls loved the outdoors.

A memorial was set up at the site of the crash. The family has setup a GoFundMe page.

The crash is still under investigation and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in this crash.