A two-vehicle crash that killed three people, including a 10-year-old girl, and sent at least six others to the hospital Wednesday night is believed to have been caused by an intoxicated driver, officials said.
The crash occurred at around 8:45 p.m. near the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Melrose Street in Placentia.
The collision involved a dark-colored Honda compact car and a passenger van, and most of the victims were in the van, according to Battalion Chief Michael Finnerty with the Placentia Fire Department.
The collision, which is believed to have been caused by an allegedly intoxicated driver, ejected several victims from the van.
When first responders arrived at the scene, two of the victims were deceased. A third victim, the 10-year-old, died while being transported to the hospital.
Those who died included Lucero Lopez, 10, her stepfather, Alberto Vicente Lopez, 36, and Gregoria Ramirez, 65, relatives told KTLA.
Lopez’s younger brother, believed to be about 8 years old, has been hospitalized, as has her mother, who is expected to be survive.
Mario Armando Paz, 24, of Santa Ana man was driving under the influence and ran a red light before striking the van, which was driven by a pastor who was taking parishioners home from a church service, police said. He has been arrested for felony DUI.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Placentia Police Traffic Division at 714-993-8157.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or on their website occrimestoppers.org.