5 Critically Injured as Cars Collide on Mountain Road
Four of five young people packed in a speeding subcompact car were critically injured Wednesday when they veered into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a car on Angeles Crest Highway, authorities said.
The collision occurred about 10 a.m. about six miles north of La Canada Flintridge, said Mark Whaling, a county Fire Department spokesman. The driver of the other car was critically injured.
At least some victims in the Ford Escort were from Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, authorities said. The critically injured were airlifted to Pasadena’s Huntington Memorial Hospital and Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. The fifth passenger had minor injuries.
“The students’ car was coming down the hill,” Whaling said. “It skidded, crossed the double yellow line and crashed into the other car.”
Investigators measured about 160 feet of skid marks from the car, indicating that the driver was trying desperately to stop.
The CHP identified four of the victims as Steven Paul, 18, of South Gate; Amato Ramos, 21, of Norwalk; Noel Carrara, 17, of Tujunga; and Ismael Esparza, 18, of Inglewood.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
