Watch CBS News

2 Torrance Students Killed In 101 Freeway Crash In Santa Barbara

TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — Two students from a Torrance high school were among those killed early Monday morning in a car accident in Santa Barbara.

The crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. on the southbound 101 Freeway near the Castillo Street exit.

Danielle Murillo and Jessica Leffew, seniors at North High School, were in a 2005 red Mazda when the driver, for unknown reasons, hit a guardrail, causing the vehicle to flip over.

Seconds later, a Santa Barbara woman driving a 2013 white Ford Mustang collided with the Mazda.

Three of the occupants in the Mazda were killed, including 20-year-old Brian Lopez. A fourth person in the Mazda was listed in critical condition.

The driver of the Mustang was charged with drunk driving, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Friends of Murillo and Leffew were shell-shocked by their passing.

"It's crazy that she's just not gonna be here anymore," said Chris Sager, Leffew's friend. "It just makes me think a lot. This could happen to anyone, so, like, be careful."

"[Murillo] was a really good friend. She was really funny and she would make jokes. She would always sing in class and like, dance," said Cammie Hamar. "She was really outgoing and a really nice person overall."

Murillo and Leffew were looking forward to graduate in just a few weeks.

"They should be right up there with us, but they're not gonna be. An accident just happened," Sager said.

Crisis counselors were at North High School to assist students, according to KCAL9's Randy Paige.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.