Latest news with #DanaHillsHighSchool
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
High Schooler, 16, Dead and 5 Classmates Injured After Truck Crashes into Tree
High schooler Rebecca Cespedes died after crashing her pickup truck into a tree in Dana Point, Calif., on May 6 The five others injured, including three critically, were also students at Dana Hills High School An investigation into the crash is ongoing, authorities saidA 16-year-old high school student has died, and five of her classmates were injured after a truck crashed into a tree, authorities said. Rebecca Cespedes, the driver of the pickup truck, was found dead at the scene after deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash in Dana Point, Calif., on Tuesday, May 6, just before 12 p.m. local time, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said. 'Deputies arrived and discovered that a pickup truck with six juveniles struck a tree,' the sheriff's deputies said. The five other students in the vehicle were transported to local hospitals, officials said. Two boys and a girl were in critical condition, but are 'expected to survive.' The other boy and girl were treated for minor injuries. "All juveniles are students at Dana Hills High School," the department said. "It is currently unknown if drugs, alcohol, or speed contributed to this traffic collision." An investigation is ongoing. Authorities and Dana Hills High School did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. A Dana Point resident, Mark Przybylak, told NBC affiliate KNBC that the accident sounded like a 'huge explosion.' On the edge of Dana Point Harbor Drive, where the accident occurred, a memorial has been placed with candles and flowers, according to the report. In a letter shared with the high school community, Principal Brittany Casey confirmed that one student had died and five others had been injured. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'We are aware this tragedy will affect our entire school family and have multiple counseling agencies and therapy dogs on campus providing support for any student or staff member in need,' Casey wrote in the letter, Fox affiliate KTTV reported. 'Dana Hills High School is a strong community,' she wrote, according to the outlet, 'who will come together for each other and the affected Dolphin families.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dana Hills High School student killed, 5 injured in car crash in Dana Point
One high school student was killed and three others were critically injured in Dana Point when a vehicle carrying a group of students hit a tree, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said. A total of six students from Dana Hills High School were traveling in a white truck when the single-vehicle crash took place at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. The collision happened less than two miles from the campus near the intersection of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive. Deputies confirmed that the driver, 16-year-old Rebecca Cespedes of Dana Point, was declared dead at the scene. Three students, two male and one female, were in critical condition but were expected to survive, and two others suffered minor injuries. Public Information Officer Gerard McCann said it could be a while before investigators determine what caused the crash. Read more: 6 friends, 5 seats: Too many youths piled into car before deadly high-speed O.C. crash, police say The school sent out a letter to parents Wednesday morning, expressing deep sadness for the life lost. 'We are aware this tragedy will affect our entire school family and have multiple counseling agencies and therapy dogs on-campus providing support for any student or staff member in need, ' said Dana Hills Principal Brittany Casey in the letter. 'If your student would benefit from speaking with a counselor, please do not hesitate to reach out to our site directly.' The crash comes just days before the school's prom on Saturday. Some parents shared their condolences on social media. One online user wrote on a Dana Point Facebook Group that his daughter, a junior at Aliso Niguel High School, was rattled. 'I pray that something positive comes from this horrible tragedy — that our young drivers might realize they're not invincible,' the user wrote. School officials did not say why the students were let out early on the day of the crash. 'Dana Hills High School is a strong community who will come together for each other and the affected Dolphin families. We thank you all for your support and compassion during this very difficult time,' Casey said. Anyone with details or who witnessed the traffic collision may assist investigators by calling (949) 425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CBS News
08-05-2025
- CBS News
Dana Hills students mourn 16-year-old killed in crash near harbor
Friends who loved Dana Hills High School sophomore Becca Cispedes brought flowers to her memorial after her truck hit a tree Tuesday morning. The 16-year-old was driving five other teenagers when the crash happened at around 11:45 a.m. near Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Investigators believe the vehicle crashed into a tree in the center divider. Good Samaritan Mark Przybylak ran to help, cradling the girl and praying over her. "I can still feel the warmth in my hand and I held her hand," he said. "Her hand was below and I said, 'Becca, if you can hear me, just squeeze,' and I felt some movement. The EMT felt a slow pulse, and I looked down and her arm was broken. So, whatever she could muster up to squeeze my hand, she did." A female student at Dana Hills High School and two young men are still in critical condition, according to OCSD. Two other students, a boy and a girl, had minor injuries. "We are aware this tragedy will affect our entire school family and have multiple counseling agencies and therapy dogs on-campus providing support for any student or staff member in need," Dana Hills High School Principal Brittany Casey wrote in a statement." The deadly collision brought overwhelming sadness to many students. "People are crying in the bathrooms, walking around, hoods on, heads down," student Justin Duarte said. The crash made some think about their own driving habits. "We're definitely going to be more cautious when we're driving, wearing seatbelts, following all the rules and not speeding," student Chase Nahas said.
Los Angeles Times
08-05-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Dana Hills High School student killed, 5 injured in car crash in Dana Point
Google street view of Dana Point Harbor Drive, close to the area where the fatal crash occurred. One high school student was killed and three others were critically injured in Dana Point when a vehicle carrying a group of students hit a tree, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said. A total of six students from Dana Hills High School were traveling in a white truck when the single-vehicle crash took place at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. The collision happened less than two miles from the campus near the intersection of Island Way and Dana Point Harbor Drive. Deputies confirmed that the driver, 16-year-old Rebecca Cespedes of Dana Point, was declared dead at the scene. Three students, two male and one female, were in critical condition but were expected to survive, and two others suffered minor injuries. Public Information Officer Gerard McCann said it could be a while before investigators determine what caused the crash. The school sent out a letter to parents Wednesday morning, expressing deep sadness for the life lost. 'We are aware this tragedy will affect our entire school family and have multiple counseling agencies and therapy dogs on-campus providing support for any student or staff member in need, ' said Dana Hills Principal Brittany Casey in the letter. 'If your student would benefit from speaking with a counselor, please do not hesitate to reach out to our site directly.' The crash comes just days before the school's prom on Saturday. Some parents shared their condolences on social media. One online user wrote on a Dana Point Facebook Group that his daughter, a junior at Aliso Niguel High School, was rattled. 'I pray that something positive comes from this horrible tragedy — that our young drivers might realize they're not invincible,' the user wrote. School officials did not say why the students were let out early on the day of the crash. 'Dana Hills High School is a strong community who will come together for each other and the affected Dolphin families. We thank you all for your support and compassion during this very difficult time,' Casey said. Anyone with details or who witnessed the traffic collision may assist investigators by calling (949) 425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
