Car in Crash That Killed 3 Exceeded 90 mph, CHP Says

The car that crossed a median and slammed into another car Wednesday, killing three people, was traveling at more than 90 mph, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said Friday.

Marco Relis, 16, a sophomore at San Clemente High School, was driving a new Subaru north on the San Joaquin Hills tollway in Laguna Niguel about 6:30 p.m. when his car crossed the median and struck the southbound car.

Relis was pronounced dead at the scene, as were Magdalena Ramirez Flores, 28, and her 6-year-old son, Cristian, who were passengers in the other car, a Ford Tempo.

Relis’ passenger, David Nguyen, 15, was injured and hospitalized at Children’s Hospital at Mission. A hospital spokeswoman said late Friday that he was in good condition and might be discharged today.

A police interview Friday with Nguyen shed no new light on the crash, said CHP spokeswoman Joani Rivas. “He doesn’t remember much,” she said.

The driver of the Ford, 43-year-old Rogelio Uribe, was also seriously injured and was in fair condition at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.

Hospital officials said a fund has been set up to cover burial costs for Flores and her son. Contributions may be sent to Bank of America, 31902 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Checks should be payable to Felicitas Uribe, with “Uribe Fund #07291-03175” on the notation line.