Injured Driver in Serious Condition After Graduation Night Crash That Killed 3 Girls
Police on Friday continued their investigation of a graduation night crash in Riverside that left three teenage girls dead and the 17-year-old driver of the car in guarded condition at Riverside Community Hospital.
Gloria Mendoza, 18, Vanessa Navarrette, 17, and Monica Casas, 16, were killed Wednesday night when the car in which they were riding hit a curb and concrete light standard about 10 p.m., Riverside police said. The three girls were sitting in the back of the car, officials said.
Riverside Community Hospital officials said the driver, Carlos Delgado, remained in serious but stable condition Friday but did not release details at the request of the boy’s parents.
A fifth youth, Lanay Chavez, 16, suffered cuts and bruises and was released Thursday from Riverside General Hospital.
All five were students at Poly High School. Mendoza had just graduated from Poly a few hours before her death, officials said.
The youngsters were apparently driving from party to party Wednesday night, authorities said. In a statement, Riverside police said they believe the youths “were racing with a pickup truck driven by an acquaintance” when their car hit the curb and light standard.
Police said they do not know yet if Delgado was speeding or under the influence of alcohol.
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