Three teens killed in Gilroy crash identified
Jan 15, 2025
EDITOR’S NOTE: The number of individuals involved and the associated vehicles they were traveling in have been corrected from an earlier version of this story.
GILROY, Calif. (KRON) -- Three teenagers were killed in a head-on crash in Gilroy on Tuesday evening, California Highway Patrol said. All three were current students at Hollister High School, the San Benito High School District announced Wednesday.
The crash happened at about 6:55 p.m. on Shore Road. A driver traveling westbound lost control and veered into oncoming traffic west of Lake Road.
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The errant car struck another car that was traveling eastbound. The driver and two rear passengers of the errant car were killed in the collision, CHP said.
San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor identified the trio killed as Anzhel Villegas-Lemus, 17, Victor Lujan, 17, and Brandon Alarcon, 18.
"This is a very tragic day for our community. Our hearts are with the families of the victims. This kind of situation rattles any community but especially a small one like ours," Taylor said.
The front seat passenger of the errant vehicle, one of the 18-year-olds, and the driver of the eastbound vehicle, a woman in her mid 20s, suffered serious injuries in the crash and were flown by helicopter to a local hospital.
The surviving 18-year-old, who the school district said was a former student, remains in critical condition. The woman suffered serious injuries and is expected to survive, CHP said Wednesday.
Counselors and mental health clinicians will be available at Hollister High School for the remainder of the week for students who need assistance, the school district said.
The roadway was reopened at 4:48 a.m. Wednesday.
It is unknown whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call CHP at 408-427-0700.