Police ID 3 Men Killed in Head-on Collission

Authorities today identified three men who were killed in San Juan Capistrano in a two-car collision that left a man and a woman critically injured.

The head-on crash between a Ford Focus and a Honda Accord occurred on Camino Capistrano between Avery Parkway and Junipero Serra Road shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday, said Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Killed were Sergio Lugo, 23, of San Juan Capistrano, the driver of the Ford; Juan Jesus Gutierrez, 26, of San Juan Capistrano, a passenger in the Ford; and Guillermo Enrique Belman-Sanchez, 22, of San Juan Capistrano, the driver of the Honda.

The critically injured man and woman, both in their 20s, were riding in the back seat of the Honda, Hallock said.

A dog riding in the Honda also was killed, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

“It appears the Ford Focus was traveling northbound on Camino Capistrano when it crossed over the double yellow line into southbound lanes at a high rate of speed,” Hallock said.

“The Honda Accord was traveling southbound on Camino Capistrano and was struck head-on by the Ford Focus,” Hallock said. “Investigators have yet to determine if alcohol and/or drug impairment was a factor in the collision.”

Autopsies are pending on the bodies of the drivers, Hallock said.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at (714) 647-7000 or (949) 425-1860; or Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.

City News Service