Candle Light Vigil for Teens Killed in Car Crash
INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 11-3-24, 6 P.M. AREA/CITY: RIVERSIDE :
- Friends and parents of friends, as well as school counselors, had a candlelight vigil for the two teenagers killed in the traffic collision on Van Buren Blvd. and Wood Road in Riverside.
- There were around 100 people in attendance.
- They spent about an hour telling stories of the two teens who were killed; they lit off fireworks and let off balloons (In the video)
RIVERSIDE – Two teenagers died Saturday after a two-vehicle crash that resulted in a vehicle fire in Riverside, the Riverside Police Department announced.
Officers responded to Wood Road, north of Van Buren Boulevard, around 5:40 a.m. Saturday to multiple reports of a crash that resulted in a vehicle fire.
Firefighters from the Riverside Fire Department, who also responded to the scene, extinguished the fire. After the vehicle fire was extinguished, three teens were found inside and two of them were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to investigators, a gray Lexus sedan was traveling north on Wood Road at a high rate of speed when the driver allegedly ran a red light at Van Buren Boulevard. At the same time, a blue Scion was traveling west on Van Buren Boulevard on a green light and crashed with the Lexus in the intersection.
After the crash, the Lexus continued northbound, striking a cement light pole, a wooden electrical pole and a tree before coming to a stop and igniting in flames, according to RPD.
The driver, and sole occupant of the Scion was uninjured and he remained at the scene cooperating with investigators.
The Lexus was occupied by three people, a 17-year-old male driver, an 18-year-old female passenger and a 17-year-old male passenger.
The 17-year-old driver and the 18-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene. The 17-year-old passenger was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries.
The identities of the teens were withheld pending notification to the next of kin.
Investigators believe alcohol and drugs, as well as vehicle speed were factors in the crash.
Anyone with additional information regarding the crash was encouraged to contact detective Amanda Beeman at 951-826-8723.
All lanes of Wood Road between Van Buren Boulevard and Silo Street were closed during the investigation as well as all westbound lanes of Van Buren Boulevard from Bountiful Street to Wood Road.
HANDLING AGENCIESSOT(s): Yes, With 3 Friends 1. Michael Guerrero 2. Israel De La Torre 3. Isaiah Anderson
