Four young friends were killed early Friday morning when the car they were traveling in veered off the Angeles Crest Highway in California, rolling down an embankment before crashing into a telephone pole. Two other passengers survived the crash but their conditions remain unclear.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office identified three of the deceased as Rebekah Cabral-Gonzalez, 21, Jason Potter, 19, and Nevaeh Harper, 20. Social media tributes identified the fourth victim as Cole Torres. All victims were from Wrightwood.
The California Highway Patrol stated that the driver allowed the vehicle to veer off the right side of state Route 2, leading to the fatal accident shortly before 1:30 a.m. Five of the six occupants were ejected from the vehicle, and four were pronounced dead at the scene. The two survivors were transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
Preliminary investigations suggest that none of the occupants were wearing seat belts, and alcohol is considered a likely contributing factor to the crash.
Tributes Pour In
Families of the victims have established GoFundMe pages to help with funeral expenses and to ease the financial burden during their grieving process. Tributes describe the young friends as vibrant individuals who touched many lives.
Rebekah Cabral-Gonzalez was remembered as a "bright light" and a "free spirit with an incredible zest for life." She was passionate about the outdoors and music, participating in school bands and working as a ski instructor. Her compassion extended to her work in behavioral health and special education, where she focused on helping children with special needs.
Jason Potter was known for his talent as a snowboarder and his ability to bring energy into any room. His GoFundMe page described him as having an "infectious energy" and a way of connecting with people that made him deeply loved.
Nevaeh Harper was celebrated for her liveliness and the significant impact she had on those around her. Her loss has shaken many who knew her, with tributes expressing deep sorrow and a wish to feel her love again.
Cole Torres was identified by a friend's GoFundMe page, which noted that he had recently learned he was going to be an uncle. The page described the loss as devastating for his loved ones and the community.
An Instagram account dedicated to local snowboarding and outdoor sports paid tribute to Cole and Jason, calling them "the best kids on the planet." The account also organized a candlelight vigil for the two friends.
As of Monday morning, the GoFundMe fundraisers had collectively raised over $40,000 to support the families of the victims.