A 21-year-old motorist, who suffered major injuries, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving for allegedly killing his passenger while racing with another motorist Friday in Santa Ana.
The passenger was later identified as Federico Hernandez, 21, of Westminster, according to the coroner’s office.
Police believe John Nguyen of Garden Grove, driving a red 2007 BMW 328i, was racing northbound on Fairview Street, possibly against a black or dark blue Dodge Charger with green underbody lights, when he lost control of his car after passing MacArthur Boulevard, said the Santa Ana Police Department.
Nguyen’s BMW struck two trees that lined the raised center median on Fairview Street. The impact caused the front end of the car to impale one of the trees, while the back portion of the vehicle, along with the two occupants, continued in a northwest direction. It came to rest on the west sidewalk of Fairview Street.
Officers were dispatched to the scene at 12:37 a.m., where Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed Nguyen to an area hospital.
Police said alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Santa Ana police asked anyone with any information regarding the crash to call them at (714) 834-4211.
— City News Service