Three killed in San Clemente crash are identified

This story has been corrected. See note below.

Three of four people killed in a single-car crash in San Clemente early Saturday have been identified, authorities said.

The driver of the BMW was identified as Pablo Vargas Diaz, 25, of San Juan Capistrano, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Two passengers killed in the accident were identified as Lucia Garcia Solis, 27, also of San Juan Capistrano, and Martin Junio Nieto, 26, of Laguna Beach. A third passenger killed in the accident has yet to be identified.

All three of those named were ejected or partially ejected from the vehicle when it slammed into a light pole and palm tree, splitting the vehicle in half, authorities said. A 24-year-old woman, who has not been identified, survived the crash and is being treated for injuries at Mission Hospital.

Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, which occurred about 1:30 a.m., according to a preliminary investigation, said Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.

The wreck forced the shutdown of a portion of South El Camino Real, near West Avenida Valencia, for several hours, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or (949) 770-6011.

[Saturday, 5 p.m.: This original version of this story implied that only three people were killed in the accident. The fourth victim who died has not been identified.]

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