Laguna Beach man killed in San Clemente crash
A Laguna Beach man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in San Clemente early Saturday, authorities said.
Martin Junio Nieto, 26, was among four people killed, according to the Orange County coroner’s office.
The driver of a BMW crashed into a light pole and palm tree on South El Camino Real about 1:30 a.m., authorities said. The impact of the crash split the car in two and ejected four people from the vehicle.
Also killed were driver Pablo Vargas Diaz, 25, of San Juan Capistrano, and passengers Lucia Garcia Solis, 27, also of San Juan Capistrano; and Luis Olivar, 22, of San Juan Capistrano. A 24-year-old woman, who has not been identified, survived the crash and is being treated for injuries at Mission Hospital.
Authorities said the driver of the car may have been drinking and that speed may also have been a factor in the crash.
The wreck forced the shutdown of a portion of South El Camino Real, near West Avenida Valencia, for several hours, authorities said.
Banks writes for the Los Angeles Times.