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Siblings among 3 killed after car careens into tree in East LA, catches fire

3 killed after car careens into tree in East LA, catches fire 00:20

Three young people, including two siblings, were killed when a car slammed into a tree in East Los Angeles early Friday morning.

The crash occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on Olympic Boulevard, near Herbert Avenue.

According to California Highway Patrol, a Volkswagen Jetta was speeding east on Olympic Boulevard when the driver lost control and slammed into a tree. The Jetta then caught fire.

A big-rig driver who was passing by rushed over and used his fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames, a CHP officer at the scene told CBSLA.

Its three occupants, two men and a woman, died at the scene. They were identified as 21-year-old Julian Mendesguia, 
19-year-old Abigail Chantal Flores and 18-year-old Jahmai Jibsam Flores. Abigail and Jahmai are siblings, their family confirmed to CBSLA. 

It's unclear if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. 

Siblings among 3 killed in East LA crash
19-year-old Abigail Chantal Flores (left) and her brother, 18-year-old Jahmai Jibsam Flores, were among three people killed in a car crash in East Los Angeles on April 8, 2022.  (Family photo)
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