The passengers killed in a crash when a suspected DUI driver led officers on a pursuit on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway in West Covina ended with a crash into a concrete wall were identified Wednesday.
About 4:10 a.m. Saturday, California Highway Patrol officers tried to stop the driver of a red 2011 Toyota Corolla after the vehicle was seen traveling unsafely on the westbound San Bernardino Freeway west of Holt Avenue, according to the CHP.
“The driver of the Toyota failed to yield and a pursuit ensued,” the CHP said. “During the pursuit, the driver of the Toyota fled at high speeds.”
The driver exited the freeway at Francisquito Avenue and crashed into a concrete wall after failing to safely negotiate a curve on the off-ramp, the CHP said.
“At the termination point of the pursuit, officers immediately rendered medical aid to the four unconscious occupants within the vehicle,” the agency said.
The passengers names were publicly released Wednesday. Both were 19 years old. Jacob Pena and Mya Benigno both died while hospitalized, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. The Medical Examiner’s Office identified him Monday as Daniel Moreno, 19, who died of blunt traumatic injuries.
Another 20-year-old male passenger was taken to Los Angeles General Hospital with major injuries.
The CHP was investigating the crash.