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Three United States Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton were among four people killed in a violent and fiery car crash on a California highway early Saturday.
The single-car crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. on the 5 Freeway near Lakewood Boulevard in Downey.
The California Highway Patrol said a 2018 Dodge Charger the victims were driving collided with a guardrail and the abutment of a pedestrian overpass.
The driver appeared to have lost control of the car while traveling at “a high rate of speed,” according to officials.
“The force of the impact caused the vehicle to split in two, subsequently ejecting the two rear passengers onto the right shoulder,” CHP said in a statement.
“The driver and front passenger remained inside the front portion of the vehicle which became fully engulfed in flames against the sound barrier wall.”
Authorities said the ruined front and rear ends of the car were found overturned about 100 feet apart on the highway.
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner records identified the deceased as Rodrigro Zermeno Gomez, 21, Daniel Nichols, 26, and Joshua Leandra Moore, 27.
The Marine Corps confirmed the three victims were Marines stationed at the California base, which is located about halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles.
Officials said two of the deceased were assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, according to KABC.
The third belonged to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
The fourth victim has not been identified.
As the wreckage burned on the highway shoulder, police and fire crews arrived to douse the flames.
All four were pronounced dead at the scene.
Marines 1st Lt. Sean Waterman told KTLA, “The accident is currently under investigation.”
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