Fender-Bender Turns Fatal for Honor Student

A high school honors student who stopped on the freeway to survey a fender bender was killed when another motorist rammed his car and sent him plummeting about 50 feet into a parking lot, investigators said.

Ryan Michael Watanabe, a 17-year-old Tustin High student on spring break, died at the scene of the Tuesday night crash on the Santa Ana Freeway.

“It’s a horrible thing,” said Tustin Mayor Jim Potts, who lives on the same block as the teen and his family. “He was like my son. When I heard it on the news, I went over [to the Watanabes] hoping I heard the wrong name.”

“Ryan would have made a difference in this world. Everything he did, he put in his 100%. There’s not a parent alive who wouldn’t want a child like Ryan.”

The accident, which snowballed into a four-car collision, occurred at 11 p.m. Tuesday when Watanabe and a friend were headed north on the freeway.

The teenager smashed into a Hyundai that had run out of gas in the slow lane and came to a stop, California Highway Patrol Officer Angel Johnson said. Watanabe and his friend got out and stood looking at the damage near the Newport Avenue exit.

That’s when a passing pickup rear-ended Watanabe’s Camry, sending the Camry lurching into the teenager standing in front of it, Johnson said. Watanabe was hurled over a nearly 3-foot-high barrier and into the parking lot of a Sizzler restaurant below the freeway.

After hitting Watanabe’s car, the pickup was struck from behind by a fourth motorist in a Toyota Tercel.

No one else was injured in the crash and no citations were issued. Johnson said the collision is under investigation.

CHP officials recommend that motorists involved in a collision, particularly on the freeway, avoid standing in front of or outside their cars.

“The vehicle becomes a projectile when it gets hit,” CHP Sgt. Gary Wagers said. “Generally it’s safer to stay inside the car and wait for help because the car can be a weapon if it is set in motion. We especially suggest that in the evening when you may not be seen.”

On Wednesday, Watanabe’s family and friends were overwhelmed with grief as they coped with their loss.

“He accomplished quite a bit in his 17 years,” said Michael Watanabe, the teen’s father. “We’re very proud of our son.”

Just last Thursday, Ryan Watanabe received Tustin High’s Scholar Athlete award, given annually to four students who show outstanding academic and athletic achievements. It was the third year he was given the award.

“Everything he did, he did to the best of his ability,” said Potts, the Watanabes’ neighbor for about nine years.

Watanabe, a junior with a 4.5 grade point average, juggled honors courses and played for the junior varsity basketball team at Tustin High.

He was the oldest of three children, loved sports and fishing and was a shooting guard for the basketball team. “He had a great three-point shot,” said Steve Herley, his basketball coach. “He was a real hard worker and a dedicated young man.”

Before the Tuesday night accident, Watanabe and his childhood friend Eric Mizusuka spent the day touring UC San Diego as they prepared to apply for colleges. They were en route to Mizusuka’s house when the crash occurred.

“We had plans to go to UCLA or UC San Diego together,” said Mizusuka, holding back tears. “We both were going to major in biology. He wanted to work in the medical field.”

Investigators asked that anyone who witnessed the collision call the CHP at (714) 223-5454.

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Freeway Tragedy

The death of 17- year- old Ryan Michael Watanabe was triggered by a car running out of gas. How the chain of events occurred:

1. Hyundai runs out of gas.

2. Watanabe’s Toyota Camry rear- ends stalled Hyundai. Watanabe and passenger get out to survey damage; Hyundai driver remains in vehicle.

3. Ford pickup moves into far- right lane.

4. Pickup driver attempts to stop, sending pickup into sideways skid.

5. Passenger sees pickup, leaps out of way; pickup hits Watanabe’s Camry, sending it crashing into him.

6. Impact launches Watanabe over 32- inch wall.

7. He falls approximately 50 feet, landing in parking lot of Sizzler restaurant.

8. Pickup comes to rest partially blocking adjacent lane and is hit by a Toyota Tercel; no other injuries reported.

Sources: California Highway Patrol, Caltrans; Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times

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Staying Safe

How to avoid trouble if your car stalls or you are involved in an accident on the freeway:

* Put on emergency flashers immediately.

* Pull to the side of the road if possible.

* Do not stand outside your car or between two vehicles.

* Do not try to run across the freeway.

* Stay in your car with your seat belt fastened and headrest in position.

* Wait for help, even though you may be hit from behind- your car offers some protection. Passing motorists with cellular phones sometimes summon help. The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans also monitor freeways for stalled cars and accidents.

Source: California Highway Patrol; Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times