Deaths of 2 Passengers in Unrelated Car Crashes Under Investigation
Police are investigating two unrelated accidents they blame on drunk driving in which passengers died after the drivers lost control of their vehicles and crashed into trees.
Matthew Bowen, 18, of Yorba Linda, was killed Sunday night after a car driven by Ryan Hilliard, 19, of Yorba Linda, rammed into trees off La Palma Avenue in Yorba Linda.
Bowen, who was riding in the back seat, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Another passenger, Jacob Mahan, 18, also of Yorba Linda, was treated for minor injuries.
Hilliard, who was treated at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana for a skull fracture, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and manslaughter.
Earlier Sunday, police arrested a Monterey Park man on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving after he apparently lost control of his car and crashed into a tree. Passenger David Robison, 28, of Rancho Santa Margarita died in the crash.
The crash occurred about 1:15 a.m. on Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa.
The driver, Phil Steyerman, 28, was treated at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana for a concussion and broken collarbone.
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