Huntington man is among 5 killed in exit-ramp crash

A Huntington Beach man and four other people, including a 7-year-old boy, were killed Thursday after an out-of-control vehicle crashed into another car near an exit ramp in Ontario.

At about 7 p.m., Ontario police responded to a traffic crash involving two vehicles at the Vineland Avenue offramp of the 10 Freeway. Officers found a Toyota Solara that was broadsided by a Toyota Yaris, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Jeffrey Willey, 29, of Huntington Beach, was one of four adults in the Solara. Matthew Pusateri, 29, of Mission Viejo; Anthony Flores, 30, of Hemet; Monica Flores, 37, of Arcadia and Willey were pronounced dead at the scene.

The 7-year-old boy, Joel Michael Pineda of Van Nuys, was a passenger in the Yaris. He was taken to San Antonio Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

The 51-year-old woman driving the Yaris, along with a 16-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl, who also were passengers in the vehicle, were taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center to be treated for their injuries, officials aid.

According to a preliminary investigation, the Yaris “began to accelerate uncontrollably” while traveling east on the 10 Freeway.

Unable to stop, the driver exited the freeway at the Vineland offramp, but crashed the Yaris into the Solara, which was traveling north on Vineland, police said.

Authorities said they do not suspect the Yaris’ driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and said she was fully cooperating with investigators.