2 Men Killed in Crash on 118 Are Identified

Two 20-year-old men killed in a crash on the Ronald Reagan Freeway earlier in the weekend were identified Sunday by police..

Travis Mitchell and Zeev Cohen were lifelong friends who grew up in Simi Valley, went to high school together and recently moved to an apartment in Northridge, said James Baroni, senior deputy coroner.

Cohen attended Cal State Northridge and Mitchell worked at an electronics company, officials said.

The accident occurred about 9 p.m. Saturday, as Mitchell and Cohen were racing a friend in another car eastbound on the freeway at speeds over 65 mph, California Highway Patrol officials said. Mitchell, who was driving, drifted toward the median, swerved and lost control of the vehicle, officials said.

“They had just come from a barbecue in Moorpark,” Baroni said. “They were goofing around and racing.”

The car careened off the highway and struck trees and bushes near 1st Street. Both men were killed instantly.

No arrests were made.

Reardon Simi Valley Mortuary is handling the funeral arrangements for Mitchell.

Arrangements for Cohen are being handled by Groman Eden in Mission Hills.