A single-car crash on the southbound Interstate 5 in Irvine claimed the lives of five local teenagers early morning Saturday, October 4th. The only survivor of the crash was the unlicensed 16-year-old driver, identified as Bradley Morales. Morales was listed in serious but stable condition at Mission Hospital.
The crash occurred around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday morning between Sand Canyon Avenue and Alton Parkway, just north of the 133, in Irvine. The car, a 1995 BMW sedan, drifted off the freeway, striking a guardrail. The five passengers in the vehicle did not survive the crash. The deceased have been identified as Jenny Bahena, Jenny Campos, Matthew Melo, Brandon Moreno, and Alex Sotelo. Melo and Sotelo attended 9th grade at Capistrano Valley High School. Moreno attended 8th grade at Carl Hankey Middle School. Campos and Bahena attended Laguna Hills High School.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected factors in the crash, but speed is being considered as a factor. Morales is an unlicensed driver, but even if he had a license, California drivers licensing requirements do not allow new drivers to be on the road without an adult if the driver is carrying passengers under the age of 20 or is driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. No charges have yet been filed in this incident.
