UPDATE: Two Salinas residents killed in big rig crash near Espinosa Road Tuesday night

UPDATE 9:05 a.m.: Two Salinas residents and a Chihuahua were killed in a crash involving a big rig Tuesday night in Salinas on State Route 183 south of Espinosa Rd., according to California Highway Patrol.

Officers said a 25-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man were in a 1996 Ford Thunderbird and were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported seeing the Thunderbird cross over the yellow line while driving northbound, into southbound traffic and crashed into the guard rail. The Thunderbird was then hit by a big rig truck traveling southbound, driven by a 55-year-old from Billings, MT.

State Road 183 was closed between Cooper Rd. and Espinosa Rd. from 7:15 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

UPDATE 10:33 p.m. Highway 183 at Espinosa Road is still closed after a deadly crash.

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 56-year-old man and woman were killed in the crash. A dog also died. Officers believe the driver may have been falling asleep behind the wheel before the accident happened.

PREVIOUS STORY: The California Highway Patrol said a man and a woman were killed in a collision involving a car and a semi truck on Highway 183 at Espinosa Road Tuesday night.

The highway will remain closed from Cooper to Espinosa Roads for several hours as the investigation continues.

A witness reported a vehicle swerved and several other cars tried to avoid it before a big rig hit the vehicle, officers said.

Both victims have not been identified. It’s unclear if Alcohol and drugs were involved.