A devastating early-morning crash in Santa Maria, California left five teenagers dead and a 24-year-old man in critical condition after a vehicle struck a traffic signal at a busy intersection Sunday, police reported.
The crash took place at around 1:40 a.m. at the intersection of S. Broadway and Miller Street. All five teenage occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. Among those killed was 16-year-old Isabella Star Vigil, identified by the Santa Maria Police Department as one of the victims. The names of the other four deceased teenagers have not yet been officially released.
The sixth person in the vehicle, a 24-year-old man, was rushed to a nearby hospital and was reported to be in critical condition following the impact.
Investigators from the Santa Maria Police Department Traffic Unit responded to the scene and noted that physical evidence at the crash site suggests the possibility that alcohol may have been a factor. However, authorities have not officially confirmed that determination. No arrests have been announced in connection with the crash.
The department is continuing its investigation and is asking witnesses or anyone with information regarding the collision to come forward and contact the Santa Maria Police Department directly.
The loss of five young people in a single crash has left the surrounding Santa Maria community and broader Santa Barbara County in mourning.