3 dead, 3 injured in single-vehicle crash in Pasadena
A single-vehicle crash in Pasadena has claimed the lives of three people and left three others in critical condition.
The early-morning accident occurred around 2:35 a.m. Saturday close to the intersection of Foothill Boulevard near Vista Avenue in Pasadena. The victims are reportedly aged between 17 and 22 years old.
One of the victims killed is identified as 20-year-old Stephen Pfeiffer. His mother says he was out with acquaintances, and that the group was five blocks away from their home when the vehicle lost control.
Surveillance video obtained by KTLA from moments before the crash shows a white Tesla speeding traveling at a high speed.
Authorities say speed was a factor and contributed to the driver losing control of the vehicle. Before coming to a rest, the car drove over the curb and clipped three utility poles before barrelling through the corner of a building in the area. The Tesla’s roof had completely sheared off.
“That likely caused the ejection of the three occupants from the rear of the vehicle,” Lt. Anthony Russo of the Pasadena Police told KTLA 5’s Sara Welch. “Three occupants remained inside the car as it came to rest several hundred feet west to the impact of the building.”
A witness who was near the crash described the horrific scene.
“It was kind of like a sci-fi movie, when I got down the street, I saw the bodies lying around,” Bill Otto said. “They were asking for help, I didn’t know who to help first, everybody was in bad shape.”
20-year-old Stephen Pfeiffer was one of the victims in the crash. His mother told KTLA he was out with acquaintances and the group was five blocks away from his home when the crash occurred on May 11, 2024. (KTLA) The white Tesla involved in the single vehicle crash had six occupants, and three were killed. Investigators were on the scene on May 11, 2024. (KTLA) Surveillance video shows the white Tesla speeding in the area moments before the crash occurred in Pasadena on May 11, 2024. (KTLA) Officers with the Pasadena Police Department were on the scene after a fatal crash killed three people, and critically injured three others. The victims are believed to be aged between 17 and 22 years of age. The crash occurred on May 11, 2024. (KTLA) A parked vehicle near the scene of the single vehicle crash was damaged by debris flying through the area as a result of the crash, which occurred on May 11, 2024. (KTLA) The vehicle involved in crashed into this nearby building in Pasadena. Three people were killed, and three others injured. The victims are believed to be aged between 17 and 22 years old. The crash occurred in Pasadena on May 11, 2024. (KTLA)
The violent impact left several pieces of debris in the area, and several homes in the area lost power due to the crash.
“We heard a loud bang,” witness Robert Phillips said. “And then the power kind of flashed and then went off.”
Residents from the area tell Welch that speeding is common near the site of the crash and are hoping safety measures will be taken by Pasadena officials.
Investigators were still on the scene early Saturday evening. No further details have been provided about the victims.
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