Girl Killed in Highway 85 Crash in Cupertino

A girl was killed in a crash on state Highway 85 in Cupertino Monday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported at about 3:30 p.m. on northbound Highway 85 at De Anza Boulevard, CHP officials said.

CHP didn't immediately confirm the victim's age, only that the child was a girl and was strapped in a car seat inside the minivan during the collision.

Three vehicles were involved in the collision -- a Jeep, a minivan and another vehicle -- and two vehicles overturned, according to the CHP.

Officials said a boy in the minivan also was injured during the crash. He was transported a local hospital with major injuries, CHP said. The driver of the minivan, a 41-year-old woman from Cupertino, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to a hospital.

It was not clear how the woman is related to the children.

The CHP said the minivan was parked on the right shoulder of northbound Highway 85 prior to a Jeep driving up an embankment and then back down, crashing into the minivan.

The driver of the Jeep, a 56-year-old man from San Jose, was transported to a hospital with major injuries.

The third vehicle in the crash was occupied by only the driver, who was treated on scene for minor injuries.

All lanes of northbound Highway 85 between De Anza and Stevens Creek were closed while authorities investigated the crash. Lanes were reopened by 7:40 p.m., according to the CHP.

Officers said Monday's accident is a reminder for drivers to not pull off to the shoulder of the freeway.

"It's very dangerous to stop your vehicle on the freeway," CHP Sgt. Erika Elisa said. "If you have any situation where you have to use your cell phone or tend to your children. you need to exit the freeway."

Officials have ruled out drugs and alcohol as a possible cause of the crash. The driver of the Jeep could face charges related to the girl's death, according to the CHP. 

NBC Bay Area's Nannette Miranda and Bay City News contributed to this report.

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