COUPLE IDENTIFIED IN COLLISION WITH BIG RIG AT HIGHWAY 14 INTERSECTION.

Byline: Daily News

CALIFORNIA CITY - A Rosamond couple killed Sunday when a big rig hit their car at a Highway 14 intersection were identified as Venustiano Marquez and Angelina Landeros, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Their 10-year-old son, Roberto, was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital for what CHP officials described as major injuries.

Also injured were another couple, Salvador and Catalina Guzman of Palmdale, and the Guzmans' 7-year-old grandson, who had been riding in the back seat.

The couples, plus the Guzmans' son following in a second car, were on their way to a religious service in California City, CHP officials said.

The couples' 1998 Ford Taurus, driven by Marquez, was hit broadside by a three-axle Freightliner truck as the car tried to cross Highway 14 at California City Boulevard.

The intersection, where the highway consists of two lanes in each direction separated by a center divider, has been the scene of a number of fatal crashes.

Caltrans is buying land for an overpass that it hopes to have completed in 2007.

The couples' eastbound Ford had crossed the highway's southbound lanes and began to cross the northbound lane, but the driver apparently didn't see the approaching big rig, CHP officials said. The Ford drove directly into its path, officials said.

Truck driver German Morales of Inglewood hit his brakes but couldn't stop the vehicle in time, CHP officials said. The big rig shoved the Ford 100 feet before coming to a halt.

Salvador Guzman, 59, was reported in critical condition Monday at Antelope Valley Hospital. Catalina Guzman, 59, was treated and sent home, hospital officials said. The boys' conditions were not available.