San Diego boy, 17, killed in 405 Freeway crash in Costa Mesa; other teens seriously injured

A 17-year-old San Diego boy died early Thursday after the car he was riding in as a passenger was struck by a big rig on the rain-dampened 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 2 a.m. on the southbound freeway near Harbor Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A Fiat 500 driven by an 18-year-old man crashed into another car that was stalled on the freeway after being involved in a separate crash, the CHP said in a statement.

The Fiat driver was thrown from the car by the impact and suffered major injuries, officials said.

Despite also being seriously injured, another 18-year-old man who was a passenger in the Fiat got out and walked to the right shoulder of the freeway, the CHP said. But two other passengers, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, remained in the disabled car. The Fiat was facing the wrong direction and no longer had working headlights or taillights.

A Freightliner big rig driven by a 63-year-old Menifee man approached, and the driver was unable to avoid the stalled Fiat and crashed into its front end, the CHP said.

The 17-year-old boy died from injuries at the scene, officials said. His name was not disclosed.

The other teen who was still in the Fiat was hospitalized with major injuries.

One vehicle caught fire after the wreck, according to CHP logs.

The CHP is investigating the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call (714) 567-6000.

UPDATES:

8:30 p.m.: This article was updated throughout.

This article was originally published at 8:15 a.m.