5 teens killed in crash in Santa Maria; alcohol may have played a role, police say - BERITAJA

Police are investigating whether intoxicant played a domiciled successful a clang that killed 5 teens successful Santa Maria early Sunday.

Officers responded to Broadway and Miller Street about 1:40 a.m. and recovered a conveyance had struck a postulation signal, the Santa Maria Police Department said successful a news release. Four occupants of the conveyance died astatine the scene, and a 5th died successful a hospital, constabulary said.

Authorities identified them arsenic Isabella Star Vigil, 16; Nicolas Munoz-Gautreaux, 17; Jennifer Gutierrez, 19; Guendi Beatrice Gamez Escalante, 16; and Yusbeli Diaz Galvez, 17.

A sixth caretaker of the vehicle, Aurelio Calixtro Matias, 24, remains hospitalized successful captious condition, constabulary said.

Officers person received accusation indicating the conveyance whitethorn person been speeding earlier the crash, and preliminary grounds located astatine the segment suggests intoxicant whitethorn person been a contributing factor, constabulary said successful the news release. The investigation is ongoing, and nary last determination has been made, authorities said.

The merchandise called the clang “a devastating calamity that has profoundly impacted the families of those progressive and the Santa Maria organization arsenic a whole.”

“The nonaccomplishment of truthful galore young lives is difficult to comprehend, and our hearts spell retired to the victims’ families, friends, classmates, loved ones, and each those affected by this heartbreaking event,” constabulary wrote.