Fourth victim identified in Wrightwood crash that claimed three young lives
A 19-year-old, Cole Torres, has been named as the final victim of a September 4 crash in Wrightwood that killed three friends.
On September 4, a 2016 Hyundai Veloster carrying six young adults veered off Highway 2 near Wrightwood and collided with a utility pole at about 1:30 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. The vehicle rolled off the road, ejecting five passengers; none were restrained by seatbelts and alcohol was reported as a contributing factor. Two occupants survived with injuries, while four died: Rebekah Cabral-Gonzalez, 21; Jason Potter, 19; Nevaeh Harper, 20; and the newly identified victim, 19-year-old Cole Torres.
All victims were residents of the small mountain community in San Bernardino County. A GoFundMe page was created by a family friend to support the grieving families, noting Torres had just learned he would become an uncle. The CHP investigation remains ongoing.
Why it matters
The tragedy highlights the dangers of seatbelt non-use and impaired driving in a small community.
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