Two Football Players Killed in Car Crash

Franklin High linebacker Jerrold Eddie Larranaga, 17, and B-team lineman Francisco Javier Hernandez, 17, were both killed July 3 when the car Larranaga was driving struck a parked tractor-truck, police said.

According to police, Larranaga’s vehicle was traveling approximately 55 miles per hour in a 35 m. p. h. zone and attempted to pass a southbound car on Marmion Way in Highland Park when he lost control of a friend’s 1979 Camaro. The vehicle crossed the double-yellow line, skidded approximately 275 feet and hit the parked truck. Hernandez was seated behind Larranaga.

Also riding in the vehicle were Larranaga’s cousin, Juve Gomez, who suffered a broken arm and cuts, and Hernandez’s cousin, Jose Chavez, who suffered cracked ribs.

Larranaga, who had aspirations of a career as a firefighter, was planning to attend Pasadena City College in the fall. In addition to starting at linebacker for Franklin’s City Section 3-A Division championship team, he was the 1988 Northern League 100-meter champion and a member of the winning 4 x 100 relay team.

Hernandez participated in wrestling as well as football and planned to enroll in the U. S. Marine Corps in the fall.

Hernandez is survived by his mother, Maria Hernandez; brother Leonardo; and sisters, Martha Montoya and Alicia Hernandez.

Larranaga is survived by his mother, Stella Larranaga, and brother Joe.

Funeral services for Hernandez and Larranaga were held July 7 and 8, respectively.