Fatal Ontario Crash Kills 5, Including 7-Year-Old Boy

Five people were killed, including a 7-year-old boy, after a car veered off a ramp near the 10 Freeway in Ontario on New Year's Eve, officials said.

"It was one of the most horrific sights I've ever seen -- ripped that car right in half," George Brader, a witness, said.

The crash was reported around 7:03 p.m. at Vineyard Avenue near the eastbound 10 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

In surveillance footage from a Mobile gas station nearby, the red car carrying four people can be seen traveling by, then debris scatters into the camera's view. 

A silver Toyota Yaris carrying four people, including a 7-year-old boy, collided with the red car. 

CHP investigators said the driver lost control for some reason as the car exited the 10 Freeway. 

The driver of the silver car and two children, ages 16 and 12, were seriously hurt. The 7-year-old boy identified as Michael Pineda of Van Nuys did not survive.

All of the occupants in the red Toyota died at the scene. 

The cause of the crash was under investigation, but witnesses told CHP that speed may have been a factor. Investigators said they don't believe drugs or alcohol were a factor.

The five who died in the crash were identified by the county coroner as Matthew Joseph Pusateri, 29, from Mission Viejo, Anthony Andrew Flores, 30, from Hemet, Jeffrey Albert Willey, 29, of Huntington Beach, Monica Marie Flores, 37, of Arcadia, and Joel Michael Pineda 7, from Van Nuys.

Flores' step sister, Rene Canty, said she was an "angel."
She was dating Anthony Flores, who also died in the crash.

"Her mom is just devastated. It's just devastated the whole family," Margie Holguin said.

Family members of Jeffrey Willey and Matthew Pusateri, both 29 years old, were also devastated.

Pusateri was a father of a young boy. Friends said the men went to Hemet High School and played on the football team together.

On New Year's Day, friends and strangers went to the scene of the crash to mourn the five lives taken far too soon.

Manuel Banuelos, a father of six, went to the site to pray for the victims.

"Tomorrow's not promised," Banuelos said. "I always tell the kids that today really capped that up."

Tony Shin contributed to this report.