Ontario crash kills 2; teen driver was unlicensed

ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed and two others, including an unlicensed 16-year-old driver, were injured in a solo-vehicle crash in Ontario Thursday night, police said.

The crash happened around 10:30 p.m. on Grove Avenue, south of Airport Drive. Police say the male driver of a Dodge Durango lost control, crossed the center divider, and then crashed into a wall and light pole, causing the vehicle to overturn and catch fire.

An 18-year-old male passenger and the driver were transported to a hospital. They were in stable condition Friday morning.

Two female passengers, identified by friends as 16-year-old Valerie Zavala and Julie Salas, died at the scene. Both attended Chino High School, according to the school's principal.

The tragedy comes as family and friends prepared to celebrate Zavala and her sister's 16th and 15th birthdays on Saturday.

Investigators say speed appears to be a factor in the crash, but the actual cause is still under investigation.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Ontario Police Department at (909) 986-6711.

A fund has been set up to help the Zavala family pay for a memorial:

Wells Fargo

Elizabeth Jimenez

FBO Valerie Zavala Memorial Services