Crime & Safety

Teen Driver Killed, Teen Passenger Critically Injured In Orange County

Deputies responding to the scene located two vehicles involved, with one of them having struck a tree.

YORBA LINDA, CA — A 16-year-old driver was killed and his 15-year-old passenger was critically injured in a two-vehicle crash in Yorba Linda, authorities said Saturday.

The crash occurred at about 8 p.m. Friday in the area of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Ohio Street, the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported.

Deputies responding to the scene located two vehicles involved, with one of them having struck a tree.

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"As a result of the impact, two teenage minors suffered serious injuries and were transported to the hospital," according to a sheriff's statement. "The driver, identified as Matthew Andres Santome, 16, of Placentia, was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The 15-year-old female passenger remains in critical condition."

The second vehicle sustained minor damage and the driver of that vehicle stayed at the scene to cooperate with law enforcement, authorities said. Neither drugs nor alcohol was suspected to be a contributing factor in the crash.

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Anyone with information about the crash was urged to call the sheriff's department at 949-425-1860. Anonymous tips can be made to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227 or ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

— City News Service