WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. () — Authorities have identified three of the four people who were killed when a car plunged off a cliff along the eastern edge of Angeles National Forest.
Two others were injured in the crash, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. Friday on Angeles Crest 2 Highway between Big Pines and Wrightwood, which sits across the nearby San Bernardino County line, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office released the names of 21-year-old Rebeka Citlali Cabral Gonzalez, 19-year-old Jason Potter and 20-year-old Nevaeh Harper.
According to initial CHP findings, none of the six people in the black 2016 Hyundai Veloster was wearing a seat belt.
A preliminary investigation indicated a black 2016 Hyundai Veloster, occupied by six Wrightwood residents, “was traveling eastbound on State Route 2 when the driver allowed the vehicle to veer to the right, depart the roadway, overturn, travel down the embankment, and collide with a power pole,” the Highway Patrol said in a statement.
Five of the six occupants were ejected from the vehicle as a result of the collision, according to the CHP news release. Of those ejected, four sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The remaining two occupants were transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where they were admitted in critical condition.
“It is believed at this time that alcohol is a factor” in the crash, said Officer Thaniel Ong, a CHP spokesman, “and that seat belts were not in use at the time.
“It’s important to note that seat belts do save lives,” Ong said. “And in this case, it is believed that the occupants that were ejected were not wearing seat belts at the time.”
Four people were killed and two others injured when a car veered off a mountain road and crashed near the Los Angeles-San Bernardino County line overnight.
GoFundMe campaigns were launched in honor of Gonzalez and Potter.
“Rebeka was a bright light, a free spirit with an incredible zest for life, a kind heart, and a genuine love for the outdoors,” a statement on the fundraising website said. “She was an athlete throughout school and found another great passion through music.”
Potter was remembered as “an incredibly talented snowboarder who had a way of bringing so much life and energy into every space he entered.”
“His infectious energy, his passion, and the way he connected with people made him someone who was deeply loved by his family, his friends, and so many in our community,” a statement on GoFundMe.com said.
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed it or has any information was urged to call investigating Officer F. Melgar at the CHP’s Antelope Valley Area office at (661) 743-6060. After business hours, calls should be directed to the CHP’s Los Angeles Communications Center at (323) 259-3200.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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