Investigation Underway Into Fatal Ontario Crash

The car was traveling at a high speed when it smashed into a concrete pole, police say.

By Samantha Tata and Jacob Rascon

| Monday, Sep 3, 2012 | Updated 4:33 PM PDT

Crash Scene "Looked Like a Bomb Went Off"

An investigation is underway into an Ontario crash that killed five men early Sunday morning after the driver ran a red light and smashed into a concrete post, according to Cpl. Bill Russell with the Ontario Police Department.

The driver of a 2005 Nissan Sentra was traveling southbound on Haven Avenue when he blew a red light, nearly collided with a vehicle in the intersection near Creekside Drive and lost control, according to a preliminary investigation into the crash.

The car, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, then slammed through a church's iron fence, smashed into a concrete pole and came to rest in the backyard of a residence, Russell said.

Wreckage from the violent crash landed just feet from Alfredo Gonzalez' bedroom. He said the crash was so loud, he thought it was an earthquake.

His granddaughter, Jennifer, described the scene looking "like a bomb that went off."

"I saw some guy in the car and I was really scared, and I didn’t know what to do and I started crying more," she said.

All five people traveling in the car were killed in the 1:41 a.m. crash. Four were pronounced dead on scene; one was transported and pronounced dead at the hospital, Russell said.

Police said they are looking into whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.

The victims were all men ranging in age from 20 to 23 years old, police said. Their names have not yet been released pending family notification, he said.

"This is obviously a very tragic scene and our heart goes out to the families involved," Russell said.

One of the men was in town for a birthday celebration, and another had planned to meet with friends for a Labor Day barbeque on Monday.

"It just really hurts," said Samuel Ross, one of the victim's friend.