Former Artesia High School Student Killed in La Palma Accident

A teenage girl who once attended Artesia High School was killed in La Palma on Sunday when an an SUV went out of control, striking two cars and a tree.

Hanel Lozano, 18, of Bellflower was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the coroner's office and Buena Park police Sgt. Chris Nunez.

Three other people in the same car were transported to UC Irvine Medical Center for treatment of their injuries, Nunez said. Their current condition was unknown.

No one in the other vehicles were hurt, the sergeant added.

The crash took place at 6:20 p.m. Feb. 17 at Valley View Boulevard and La Palma Avenue, Nunez said.

The Jeep Cherokee first struck a car in a two-way left turn lane southbound on Valley View Boulevard, Nunez said. It then struck a tree on the raised center median; and, as it flew, it hit another car in a driveway, according to Nunez.

The cause remained under investigation.

'There was significant vehicle damage," Nunez said. "Based on that you could conclude speed was an associated factor."