Man Dies, 2 Hurt in Fountain Valley Crash

Police on Tuesday were seeking witnesses to a traffic crash that killed a Huntington Beach man and injured his two passengers, including a woman who is five months pregnant.

Humberto Gutierrez, 22, of Huntington Beach died after the Hyundai he was driving crashed into two parked cars and flipped as he traveled east on Warner Avenue near San Bruno Street of Fountain Valley shortly after 11:05 p.m. Monday, police said.

Police say Gutierrez, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered massive head trauma and internal injuries. He died at the scene.

His two passengers, Mari Cruz Ortiz, 20, and Adam Camacho, 20, were taken to local hospitals where they were treated for moderate cuts and bruises. They were listed in good condition Tuesday and Ortiz’s baby was not in danger, police said.

Police said Camacho was wearing his seat belt, but it was unknown Tuesday if Ortiz was buckled in.

Police say Gutierrez’s Hyundai sideswiped a 1964 Chevy Nova, then rear-ended a late-model Dodge Caravan. The speed of the Hyundai caused it to flip, accident investigator Bill Hufnagel said.

Police had few leads Tuesday into the cause of the crash and said they were investigating whether other vehicles were involved. Police said interviews with Ortiz and Camacho failed to reveal the cause.

“All we know is that the vehicle drifted to the right and collided with two cars that were legally parked,” said Hufnagel. “Why he drifted to the right, we don’t know. We don’t believe alcohol was involved.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Fountain Valley Police Department: (714) 593-4481.