A crash in Pasadena early Saturday temporarily knocked out power to hundreds of Pasadena residents, killing three people and seriously injuring three others, authorities said.
Pasadena reports that around 2:30 a.m., a Tesla Model 3 sedan was traveling westbound on Foothill Boulevard at more than twice the 35 mph speed limit when it ran a red light on Sierra Madre Boulevard and struck on the side of the road and struck a telephone pole. There were six people in the car.
When officers arrived, they found three passengers ejected from the back of the vehicle, police said. The driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene; the other three passengers were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities said all six people involved in the crash were between the ages of 17 and 22.
Lt. Anthony Russo said an early investigation revealed the driver “failed to negotiate a slight curve east of Vista Avenue,” causing the vehicle to hit the curb and hit a light pole. He said the car was catapulted into the air and collided with a utility pole and an abandoned building, destroying the entire east wall of the building. The car was parked a few hundred feet west of the building.
“This was a very serious accident,” Russo said. “There are indications alcohol may have been involved but we have not confirmed whether the driver was under the influence or impaired at the time of the accident.”
Authorities said more than 500 homes and businesses in the area lost power due to the collision, which knocked down power lines.
Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian said all power in the area has now been restored.
