It happened around 3:25 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, on the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway transition road to the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway.
The wrong-way motorist was driving a 1998 Honda Accord southbound in the northbound fast lane of the freeway transition when he crashed head-on into a northbound 2017 Ford Mustang driven by 19-year-old Diego Barragan of Palmdale, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The impact sent Barragan’s car into a 2001 Chevrolet driven by Danyell Williams, 24, of Palmdale.
Two men in the wrong-way Honda were pronounced dead at the scene, but their names were not released pending notification of relatives, according to the CHP.
An 18-year-old woman who was Barragan’s passenger died at a hospital from her injuries, the CHP said. Her name also was not immediately released. Barragan and Williams were taken to hospitals, where Williams was treated for minor injuries and released and Barragan was being treated for major injuries, authorities said.
Alcohol and/or drugs were suspected to be factors in the crash, officials said.
The northbound lanes of the Golden State Freeway transition road to the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway were reopened at 7:52 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, the CHP said.
UPDATED: The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old Audrey Barba, a recent Highland High School graduate and was a freshman at Antelope Valley College, according to an online fundraiser established by her loved ones. The donate to this cause, visit https://www.gofundme.com/audrey-barba-memorial-fund.
Andrea Barba says
Who Ever Talks [removed] About My Sister’s Death Go Rot In Hell , We Are Not Wealthy & We Reached Our Go Fund Me Goal Cause She Was Seriously Loved & TREASURED By Thousands . I’ll Have Her Back Till The Day I Die Cause After That When It’s My Time I’ll Be With Her In Heaven To Continue My Destiny With Her
AlocalPalmdalien says
May she Rest In Peace and May your family find peace in such tragic circumstances. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Tom says
Spike strips used in parking lots can help disable cars that enter the wrong ramp, four tires is a lot cheaper than a lost life.
Laughing says
I asked a CalTrans supervisor about those one way spikes once. He explained that the ramps on freeways see a lot more traffic each day than a single parking lot sees in a year. Apparently it wears out the springs very fast so it is not cost effective compared to the number of incidents that actually happen.
Lily says
https://www.gofundme.com/audrey-barba-memorial-fund?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_co_shareflow_m
Please share, any amount will help the family as no one is ever prepared for this.
AV supporter says
I wouldn’t donate a dime if that girl went to Highland High School she live on the westside in a predominantly wealthy area and now you guys are asking for money something’s not right here
Kari says
Only because she went to highland doesn’t mean shes wealthy. I lived on the east side and I went to highland high school. Somethings not right with you!
AV supporter says
I guess there is something not right with me because you live on the Poor Side of Town and you’re bragging that you went to a wealthy School wowa do you also receive Food Stamps how did you end up in the predicament you’re in and you went to a prestigious High School in the Antelope Valley you must be Mexican
C R Seals says
AV supporter. If ya aren’t poor go buy a heart because if you have one it’s cold. If ya aren’t offering support to the bereaved shut it!!!!
To Each Her Own says
Just because someone lives on the west side and/or attends Highland or Quartz Hill does not mean that he or she is wealthy! Some homes around Highland and Quartz Hill are old and neighborhoods are not that great. Low income people, of all ethnicities, live out there, just not as many. There are homes with multi families or multi generations. There are also many sect 8 homes on the west side, with different ethnicities. My children, Caucasian, went to school at Quartz Hill; they went on a district-approved transfer. We are zoned for AVHS and there was no way my kids were going there. We aren’t on welfare and have decent jobs but couldn’t afford $400,000 mortgages.
Becki says
You are an idiot av supporter !!!!
Hope you rot in hell you pos !!!!!
Ur mom says
What’s not right is ur comment. All of Palmdale is cheaper. Just because u have a big hous doesn’t mean [removed] in L.A. u [removed]
Andrea says
You Are Selfish Talking About My Family That Way , Karma Comes Around , We Aren’t Wealthy Don’t Assume
Head-On says
3:25 a.m.
Wrong-Way Crash says
“Alcohol and/or drugs were suspected to be factors…”
Stupidity and irresponsibility were the other factors.
Wrong-Way says
“Alcohol and/or drugs were suspected to be factors in the crash…”
Stupidity and irresponsibility were also factors.
Tori says
My sincere condolences to the family of the 18-year-old girl that lost her life, and to the young man who is in the hospital with major injuries.
My grandsons and their friends know The girl and Diego and are just beside themselves right now, my older grandson hung out with her and my younger grandson had her in a few of his classes at highland high school.
My prayers are with these Families, may God comfort them in this darkest hour. I’m so sorry