Four people died and another was in critical condition following a crash in Orange County that left a vehicle severed into two parts early Saturday, officials said.
Authorities responded to the crash about 1:30 a.m. near the southbound 5 Freeway off-ramp at El Camino Real in San Clemente, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators said a white BMW was traveling at a high speed when it crashed into a light pole and tree, ejecting three males and one female. They were pronounced dead on arrival, officials said.
Officials identified the victims as: Pablo Vargas Diaz, 25, of San Juan Capistrano; Martin Junior Nieto, 26, of Laguna Niguel; and Lucia Garcia Solis, 27, of San Juan Capistrano. The fourth deceased victim has been tentatively identified but release of the name is pending confirmation.
Another female inside the vehicle was airlifted to a hospital where she was in critical condition and suffering from life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
The main cause of the crash is still under investigation, and it could not be confirmed whether alcohol played a factor, officials said.
Two tow trucks were used to haul the wreckage.
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Anyone who may have witnessed the crash was urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000 or 949-770-6011.
