Van Crashes Into Wall; Driver Killed

A 38-year-old Santa Ana man died Wednesday night when he lost control of the van he was driving and smashed into a brick wall, police and coroner’s officials said.

Salvador Abarca Cebrero was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in the 2900 block of South Fairview Street, officials said.

Santa Ana Police Sgt. Jim McDaniel said Cebrero likely would have survived the crash had he been wearing a seat belt. Cebrero lost control of his Chevrolet van at 8:46 p.m. and was partially ejected from the driver’s seat, police said. He was pinned between the vehicle and the wall.

McDaniel said the van smelled of alcohol, which indicates that drinking may have been a factor in the accident. An autopsy is pending.