Five teens killed in Santa Maria crash; alcohol involvement under investigation

A vehicle traveling at high speed struck a traffic pole early Sunday at the intersection of South Broadway and Miller Street in Santa Maria, killing five teenagers and critically injuring a sixth person. Santa Maria police said evidence recovered at the scene points to alcohol involvement, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

Local context on alcohol use Officials in the Santa Maria Valley stated that alcoholism among both adults and teens is a major theme in the area. The rural, agriculture-dominated region often leaves teens unsupervised while parents work, according to one advocate.

Edwin Weaver, president of Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, told the Los Angeles Times that his organization held a DUI awareness workshop at a local high school days before the crash. Weaver said several of the victims were known to the group. "We personally knew several of the children in the car, so it hits very close to home," Weaver said.

" At a memorial for the victims, liquor bottles appeared alongside flowers and other tributes. Weaver said the group is working to reduce teen alcohol use by seeking bans on brightly colored, sugary alcoholic beverages popular with youth.

Victims and response The Santa Maria Police Department identified the deceased as Nicolas Munoz-Gautreaux, 17; Jennifer Gutierrez, 19; Guendi Beatrice Gamez Escalante, 16; a 17-year-old girl; and Isabella Star Vigil, 16. A sixth victim, 24-year-old Aurelio Calixtro Matia, remains in critical condition.

Four of the deceased were current or former students in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. GoFundMe pages have been created to assist the families of the victims.