Five people were killed and another was critically injured early Sunday in a single-vehicle crash in Santa Maria.

Personnel from the Santa Maria Fire Department, Police Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to the incident at the intersection of Broadway/Highway 135 and South Miller Street at approximately 1:40 a.m.

The impact of the crash into a traffic signal pole, which could be heard in surrounding neighborhoods, reportedly caused the vehicle to break apart.

“Preliminary evidence located at the scene suggests alcohol may have been a contributing factor,” Sgt. Shane Armstrong said Sunday.”However, the investigation remains ongoing and no final determination has been made at this time.”

Officers also received information indicating the vehicle may have been traveling at high speed prior to the crash, and were working to verify the report as part of the ongoing investigation, Armstrong said.

Four people were pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported to Marian Regional Medical Center, Armstrong added.

However, one of those patients died at the hospital, he added.

The sixth person remained in critical condition Sunday morning.

Names of those killed will be released after family members have been notified, police said.

Throughout Sunday, family members and friends stopped near the intersection of Orcutt Road and Ocotillo Avenue, west of the crash site, to place flowers and candles as a memorial to the victims.

Santa Maria police were continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash later Sunday.

The intersection was closed for several hours due to the crash and investigation, police said.

Check back with Noozhawk for updates to this story.