Two men were killed when an SUV that was speeding crashed off the side of a street in Long Beach and plunged into the Los Cerritos Channel, authorities said Monday.
The crash was reported about 6:20 p.m. Sunday on Studebaker Road, south of Loynes Drive, Long Beach Fire Department Capt. Jake Heflin told City News Service.
The vehicle was northbound on Studebaker Road when it crashed and ended up in about 10 feet of water, Heflin said.
According to the preliminary investigation, the vehicle hit a bridge support, caught fire, and went into the Los Cerritos Channel, the Long Beach Police Department reported.
Personnel from the LBPD, the LBFD, Long Beach Lifeguards and Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene, police said.
“Long Beach Fire Department divers located the vehicle submerged in water,” police said in a statement. “Fire Department divers were able to rescue the driver from the submerged vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later determined deceased. Divers also located a passenger who was determined deceased at the scene.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later identified the victim who died at the scene as 30-year-old Christopher Castellanos.
The man who died at the hospital apparently was in his 30s, Heflin said.
“The preliminary investigation revealed a 2004 GMC Yukon was traveling northbound on Studebaker Road at a high rate of speed,” police said. “The vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic and it appeared the driver lost control.
“The vehicle collided with a section of the bridge spanning the Los Cerritos Channel, caught fire, and went into the water,” police said. “At this time, speed, reckless driving, and impaired driving are being investigated as possible factors in the collision.”
Studebaker Road was closed in both directions from Second Street to Loynes Drive while an investigation was conducted.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash was urged to call LBPD Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS or using the website www.LACrimeStoppers.org.