Community Mourns For Teen Killed In Fatal Crash In Dana Point

DANA POINT, CA — Officials Wednesday released the name of a 16-year-old driver killed in a crash in Dana Point that left several other teens injured.

The victim was identified as Rebecca Cespedes of Dana Point, according to Sgt. Gerard McCann of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. She was behind the wheel of a pickup truck that slammed into a tree shortly before noon Tuesday on Dana Point Harbor Drive near Island Way, McCann said.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and her five passengers — all of them students at Dana Hills High School — were taken to an area hospital, McCann said.

A girl and two boys were hospitalized in critical condition. Two other teens, a boy and a girl, sustained minor injuries, McCann said.

"It is with profound sadness that I share there was an automobile accident involving six Dana Hills students yesterday," Dana Hills High School Principal Brittany Casey said in a statement. "I am deeply saddened to report that one of our students died as a result of the crash and our other five were transported to nearby hospitals with injuries."

The Orange County Register reported that a memorial of flowers and candles was spreading near the site of the crash at Dana Point Harbor this week.

At the tribute, candles, colorful flowers and pictures of the 16-year-old "Becca" adorned the grassy lawn, according to the report.