1 dead, 2 critical after violent crash in Whittier

WHITTIER, Calif. (KABC) -- A 19-year-old woman was killed and two other people were left in critical condition following a violent car crash in Whittier.

The crash happened around 1:07 a.m. at Beverly Boulevard and Citrus Avenue, police said.

The 25-year-old driver of a Chevy Malibu lost control of his car, sheared a fire hydrant and hit a pine tree.

Two passengers, a 21-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman, were thrown from the car.

All three occupants were taken to the hospital, where Maria Vasquez, 19, of Bell Gardens died from her injuries.

Police said it is unknown if alcohol played a role. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

City News Service contributed to this report.