2 killed, 3 injured in violent car crash in Pasadena

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed and three others were injured following a violent car crash in Pasadena Wednesday morning.

The incident was reported around 7:30 a.m. near the southwest corner of Villa Street and Lake Avenue.

Pasadena police said a maroon Ford Mustang was traveling southbound on Lake Avenue, when a blue Kia SUV turned left onto Villa Street in front of the Mustang. The cars collided, sending the Mustang into a light pole and nearly splitting it in half. Police said both drivers had a green light.

The driver of the Mustang died at the scene, and the front passenger died after being transported to a hospital.

Two other passengers in the Mustang were injured and listed in serious but stable condition. All the passengers in the Mustang were described as men possibly in their early 20s.

The driver of the SUV, described as an adult female, sustained minor injuries, authorities said.

Police said speed was a factor in the severity of the crash.

"Please slow down. Speed kills," Chief Phillip Sanchez with the Pasadena Police Department.

Bystanders, including Marisa Rosales and Martin Escatiola, witnessed the crash or the immediate aftermath and attempted to help, but there wasn't much they could do.

"I feel sorry for their families. They were just going to work," Escatiola said.

The intersection was shut down due to the investigation.