The driver in the horrific Memorial Day crash in Newport Beach was unlicensed.
The horrific crash killed all 5 occupants in the vehicle. All of the occupants were students and teens from Irvine. According to DMV records, the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The driver received a citation in April for violating his provisional license. He has also had other offenses in records. The driver was driving a 2008 Infiniti. He was pulled over in April because he made prohibited modification to the exhaust system and having tinted windows that obstructed the driver’s view.
It was a horrific single-car crash. The crash took place on a downhill stretch of Jamboree Road. The car struck a center divider and then collided into a tree. After colliding into the tree, the car split in half. One of the halves exploded into fire. Four of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle. One of the victims was partially ejected from the vehicle. One of the car occupants survived long enough to be taken to a hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Police believe speed was definitely a contributing factor in the fiery crash. The posted speed limit is 55 mph. Investigators have not officially announced the speed that the driver was driving. According to the mayor, the car may have been traveling at 100 mph or faster.
The victims were all teens from Irvine. All of the occupants were students at Irvine high School except for the driver. He was a student at University High. The ages of the occupants ranged from 16- 17 years old. The car occupants were in 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade.
Unfortunately, there is little that police and officials can do to slow down drivers. Police and officials are unable to change the speed limits just because they believe it is unsafe. Speed limits are set according to state law. Police will not be increasing police presence in the area because of this accident. The road, where the collision occurred, is well maintained and straight. These factors attract drivers who like to speed.
There was also another accident in the area in 2009. A co-founder of mixed martial arts apparel company TapouT died in 2009. The victim’s Ferrari was struck by a Porsche traveling at 100 mph.
If you are ever involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact a Newport Beach car accident lawyer.