Four young friends from California were killed in a devastating crash after their car plunged off a cliff, leaving grieving families asking the community for help with funeral costs.
The crash happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday on Angeles Crest Highway, when a black Hyundai Veloster left the roadway, tumbled down a hillside and struck a telephone pole.
Authorities said five of the six people inside were thrown from the vehicle. Four died at the scene. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified three of the victims as Rebekah Cabral-Gonzalez, 21, Jason Potter, 19, and Nevaeh Harper, 20.
Officials have not yet released the name of the fourth person who died, though social media posts have identified him as Cole Torres.
‘The victims, all from Wrightwood, were traveling east on state Route 2 when the driver allowed the vehicle to veer to the right and leave the roadway,’ the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.
‘The car overturned, traveled down an embankment and slammed into a power pole,’ the agency added.
The four young victims were pronounced dead at the crash site. Two other people were taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Officials have not released an update on the conditions of the two surviving passengers.
A black Hyundai Veloster veered off the Angeles Crest Highway just before 1.30am on Friday and rolled down a hill before it crashed into a telephone pole, officials said
Tributes to Rebekah Cabral-Gonzalez, 21, and Jason Potter, 19, were shared online
Thousands have been raised for the families of Nevaeh Harper, 20, and Cole Torres after the tragic accident
‘Preliminary investigation indicates that none of the occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, and that alcohol is likely a contributing factor in this crash,’ CHP said, according to the Antelope Valley Press.
GoFundMe pages were created for the families of those who died in the fatal crash.
Cabral-Gonzalez was described as a ‘bright light, a free spirit with an incredible zest for life, a kind heart, and a genuine love for the outdoors.’
‘She was an athlete throughout school and found another great passion through music. She participated in several school bands, expressing herself through something she loved so deeply,’ the fundraiser said.
According to the page, Rebekah worked as a ski instructor and met her students with ‘kindness, encouragement and understanding.’ This was particularly the case with children who needed extra assistance.
‘That compassion carried into her dedication to behavioral health and special education. Rebeka worked with children with special needs, and those who knew her best often felt that this wasn’t simply a job for her, it was her calling,’ the tribute continued.
‘She had a natural ability to connect with people, especially those who needed someone willing to truly see them, listen to them, and believe in them.’
Cabral-Gonzalez was ‘unselfish with her time and gave far more than she ever expected to receive,’ a fundraiser said
Harper, second from right, ‘inspired the people around her through her liveliness, and the impact she made on others is clear in the many lives this loss has shaken,’ a tribute said
‘Jason touched more lives than he probably ever realized, and the love surrounding his family is a reflection of just how special he was,’ a GoFundMe said
Cabral-Gonzalez, who had an ‘extraordinary bond’ with her twin sister Victoria, was said to be ‘unselfish with her time and gave far more than she ever expected to receive.’
‘That was simply who she was. She gave because she cared. She helped because someone needed help. She showed up for others without expecting recognition or anything in return,’ the GoFundMe continued.
‘She was a friend to everyone she encountered. Her kindness was not something you had to know her well to recognize, it was something people felt. Those who knew Rebeka will remember her as one of the kindest souls they ever met.
‘Her life was far too short, but the impact she made was not.’
Potter was said to be an ‘incredibly talented snowboarder who had a way of bringing so much life and energy into every space he entered.’
‘His infectious energy, his passion, and the way he connected with people made him someone who was deeply loved by his family, his friends, and so many in our community,’ his GoFundMe page said.
‘Jason touched more lives than he probably ever realized, and the love surrounding his family is a reflection of just how special he was.
‘Jason was deeply loved. His energy, his talent, and the joy he brought to those around him will never be forgotten.’
The four were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining two passengers were taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
‘[Harper] will be missed immensely. So many of us would trade anything to feel her love again,’ her GoFundMe said
Cole Torres had just learned that he was going to be an uncle to a baby girl, which makes this loss feel even more devastating for everyone who loved him,’ his fundraiser said
Potter and Torres were said to be ‘the best kids on the planet’ who were ‘beloved by everyone’
Harper’s death was described as a ‘heartbreaking loss’ that ‘touched the lives of hundreds of people who knew and loved her.’
‘She will be missed immensely. So many of us would trade anything to feel her love again. She inspired the people around her through her liveliness, and the impact she made on others is clear in the many lives this loss has shaken,’ the fundraiser said.
A friend of Torres’s mother, Jillian LeAnn Torres, created a GoFundMe identifying him as the fourth victim, saying he died alongside ‘three of his best friends.’
‘This loss has shaken not only Jillian, but the entire community, and the pain is still so fresh,’ the page said.
‘Right now, Jillian is in a state of shock and trying to process something no parent should ever have to face. Her son had just learned at a gender reveal that he was going to be an uncle to a baby girl, which makes this loss feel even more devastating for everyone who loved him.’
An Instagram account dedicated to local snowboarding and outdoor sports also paid tribute to Torres and Potter, calling them ‘the best kids on the planet from the best families.’
The account also organized a candlelight vigil for the two young men, who used to snowboard together, and added: ‘Please be respectful. These guys were beloved by everyone.’
As of Monday morning, the fundraisers for Cabral-Gonzalez and Harper raised just over $9,000, while Potter’s GoFundMe garnered $13,400 and Torres’s hit $18,700. The money will go towards funeral costs as well as easing financial burdens on the families as they grieve.
Our News Outlet reached out to the CHP and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office for comment.
