MADERA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Four people are dead, and another is hospitalized after a crash early Sunday morning, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies were called to the area of El Vado Drive and Avenue 18 ½ just after 1 a.m. for reports of people breaking into vehicles.

Investigators said they arrived to find a vehicle in the area matching the description given them.

It immediately sped away before losing control and crashing about three miles away at Highway 99 and Avenue 17.

Deputies responded to that location and discovered the single-vehicle crash with four of the occupants dead inside.  A fifth passenger, a male, was airlifted to medical care and is said to be in critical condition.

The sheriff’s office says the California Highway Patrol will take over the investigation of the fatal crash, while it will investigate the reported vehicle burglaries.

Anyone with information on the vehicle burglary incident is asked to contact Detective M. Fullhart at 559-675-2497 ext. 4120. Tips may also be sent through the Madera County Sheriff’s Mobile App: MaderaSheriffApp.com.

Anyone who may have information on the crash is asked to reach out to the Madera-area CHP at (559) 507-8120.