3 killed, including 10-year-old girl, in suspected DUI crash in Placentia

ByJessica De Nova and ABC7.com staff KABC logo
Thursday, January 26, 2023
3 killed, including 10-year-old girl, in Placentia crash
Three people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in a suspected DUI crash involving a passenger van in Placentia.

PLACENTIA, Calif. (KABC) -- Three people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in a suspected DUI crash involving a passenger van in Placentia.

The incident happened around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and Melrose Street. Police say the driver of a black Honda collided with that white passenger van.

When investigators arrived, they found two people dead at the scene. They were reportedly ejected from the vehicle.

The child, who has not been identified, died at the hospital, authorities said. The two other fatal victims were adults, and also have not been identified.

Several other people were also taken to the hospital, some with serious injuries.

The victims were all in the passenger van. A witness said they were part of a church group coming back from a bible study event.

Police say the man driving the other vehicle involved in the crash may have run a red light. The 24-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested for felony DUI.

GoFundMe campaigns have been started to help the victims and the family.