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September 08, 2026

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ORANGE COUNTY

Levi Flores killed in SUV crash on Santa Ana Freeway

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Ford Edge struck a guardrail and concrete pillar near Lincoln Avenue

September 03, 2026 | Anaheim, CA

Levi Jacob Flores, 15, of Garden Grove, and two other teenage boys were killed early Thursday when a speeding Ford Edge crashed and overturned near the Lincoln Avenue off-ramp in Anaheim, CHP said.

police lightsLevi Jacob Flores, 15, of Garden Grove, was one of three teenage boys killed when a white Ford Edge struck a guardrail and concrete pillar, went down a concrete embankment and overturned near the Lincoln Avenue off-ramp.

What happened in the crash?

  • Date and time: Early Thursday, around 3:15 a.m. on Sept. 3
  • Location: Santa Ana Freeway southbound near Lincoln Avenue off-ramp, Anaheim, CA
  • Vehicle: White Ford Edge traveling at high speed
  • Sequence: Driver made a sudden correction, struck a guardrail and concrete pillar, overturned into brush
  • Outcome: Three teens killed, one survivor transported to hospital

Key facts at a glance

  • Levi Jacob Flores, 15, of Garden Grove, was one of the victims
  • Two other teens, ages 17 and 16, also died
  • Two occupants were ejected from the vehicle
  • California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation

Why do high-speed freeway crashes occur?

Data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that late-night speed-related incidents often involve missed exits and sudden maneuvers. The CDC reports that motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for teens.

FactorNational StatisticSource
Speed-related fatalities29% of all crash deathsFederal Highway Administration
Teen occupant deathsOver 2,000 annually in the U.S.CDC
Nighttime crashesHigher risk between midnight and 6 a.m.Federal Highway Administration

Legal Insights

“In cases such as this, an independent investigation is crucial to preserve evidence and determine what may have contributed to the crash,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.

“A lawyer has the resources to hire witnesses, conduct background checks, locate witnesses and review insurance coverage,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.

Key takeaways

  • Families may explore options for loss of companionship and emotional distress
  • Timely review of official reports helps protect legal rights
  • Support from counsel can ease the process during difficult periods

(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)

Newsline - is your trusted source for legal news and accident reports, delivering timely updates to keep you informed.


If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Motor Vehicle Accident, California, Santa Ana Freeway, Lincoln Avenue off-ramp, Anaheim

The staff of Newsline would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to Robert Gutierrez-Avalos and family

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