A 16-year-old boy from Placentia is dead and a 15-year-old girl remains in critical condition after a two-car crash in Yorba Linda Friday night. The collision happened around 8 p.m. near Yorba Linda Boulevard and Ohio Street, when one vehicle struck a tree while the second car sustained only minor damage.
The driver has been identified as Matthew Andres Santome, 16, of Placentia, who was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Orange County Register. The 15-year-old girl riding with him was identified as a passenger and remained in critical condition as of Saturday, per the same report. CBS Los Angeles reports that both teenagers were transported to the hospital following the crash, per a release from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Second Driver Cooperated, No Other Injuries Reported
The driver of the other vehicle involved stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to NBC Los Angeles. That outlet also reports that no one else was hurt in the crash beyond the two teenagers.
Authorities said they do not suspect drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash, the station reported, though the exact cause remains under investigation. The Orange County Sheriff's Department has not released further details on what led to the collision.
A Stretch of Road With a Painful History
This is not the first time a Yorba Linda Boulevard crash has claimed a young life in the area. In June 2024, a 17-year-old junior at El Dorado High School, identified by classmates as Zach Henn, died in a collision at the intersection of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Valencia Avenue in nearby Placentia, according to KTLA. Four other people were hurt in that crash, and it remained unclear who was at fault, the outlet reported.
No further updates on the condition of the 15-year-old passenger or the status of the investigation into Friday's crash were available as of this report.
