Brandon Antonio Ayala Herrera, Caleb Ezequiel Mendoza, and Luis Alejandro Mendez-Carbajal die in fatal Anaheim car crash
Fatal Anaheim car crash death of Brandon Antonio Ayala Herrera, Caleb Ezequiel Mendoza, and Luis Alejandro Mendez-Carbajal
Three young men lost their lives early Wednesday morning in a devastating car crash in Anaheim that authorities say followed a police pursuit.
The victims were identified by the Orange County Coroner as 22-year-old Brandon Antonio Ayala Herrera of Huntington Park, 20-year-old Caleb Ezequiel Mendoza of Maywood, and 27-year-old Luis Alejandro Mendez-Carbajal of Panorama City.
According to officials, the fatal incident unfolded when Anaheim police attempted to stop a group of suspects believed to be involved in a vehicle burglary. The suspects’ vehicle reportedly sped away, leading officers on a high-speed chase along the northbound 5 Freeway.
At approximately 3:25 a.m., the vehicle lost control and crashed near Brookhurst Street, overturning and coming to a rest on an embankment beside the freeway. The violent impact claimed the lives of the three aforementioned individuals, who were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two additional occupants in the vehicle survived but sustained severe injuries. One was reported to be in stable condition while the other remained in critical condition as of the latest update.
The collision prompted a prolonged closure and traffic backup in both directions of the freeway.
The California Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
