Three people were killed and a 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after his car slammed into a large van in Placentia on Wednesday night, Jan. 25, authorities said.
The crash occurred at Orangethorpe Avenue and Melrose Street, just east of the 57 Freeway, about 8:45 p.m., police and fire officials said.
The driver of a black Honda Civic was believed to have run a red light before crashing into a large, white passenger van, Placentia police Sgt. Bryce Angel told OnSceneTV.
A man and woman died at the scene, said Michael Finnerty, Placentia Fire Department battalion chief. A 10-year-old girl was taken to Children’s Hospital of Orange County but also died, Angel said.
Three or four other occupants of the van were hospitalized in critical condition, Angel said.
Christian Olivo told OnSceneTV he knew the people in the van and that they were coming from a nearby church and being driven by the church’s pastor and his wife.
Video showed two adults who may have been thrown from the vehicle. Officials did not immediately know if everyone had their seat belts fastened.
The identities of the three people who died were not made public by officials pending notification of their relatives.
The driver had not been yet identified by police.
Source: Orange County Register
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