Three teenagers were killed after a crash on the southbound 5 Freeway in Anaheim early Thursday morning, officials said.
The teenagers — ages 15, 16 and 17 — were all from Orange County. California Highway Patrol investigators say none of them were wearing seat belts when the driver veered off the road near the Lincoln exit and slammed into the now-mangled metal guardrail and a concrete pillar just after 3:15 a.m.
Skid marks were still visible on Friday and lead to the memorial for 17-year-old Victor Hugo Delgado and 16-year-old Miguel Gutierrez-Avalos, both from Santa Ana. The youngest, 15-year-old Levi Jacob Flores, was also killed.
“It’s crazy how the side marks are still here,” Anthony Lopez, a friend of Levi, told NBC Los Angeles on Friday.
Anthony said he and Levi used to ride mini-bikes together.
“Levi was like a funny person. We used to ride everyday. We used to ride to LA and back,” Anthony said. “It’s devastating how he died, you know? It’s just crazy he died young.”
Delgado’s family says Delgado was caring, ambitious and had so much ahead of him. He planned to go to mechanical school.
“He had a big heart,” said Andres Ayala, his brother-in-law.
At 17, Delgado was already helping hold his family together. His mother had recently undergone brain surgery, and Delgado helped take care of her while she recovered.
“He just cared a lot about people,” said Ivette Vargas, Delgado’s sister. “He was always goofy. He was silly. He would always just bring joy.”
Investigators say four people were in the white Ford Edge. Two of the teens died in the crash, and the third was rushed to the hospital but passed away Thursday. The only survivor is in critical condition.
It’s unclear who was driving and where the teens were going or coming from.
According to the CHP, speed was a potential factor in the crash, and drugs and alcohol have not been ruled out.