One of the teen victims killed in a two-car crash just outside Watsonville Sunday night has been identified as Carlos Angeles from Soquel. His passenger, a 17-year-old girl, also died at the scene.
The crash occurred around 8:45pm at the intersection of East Lake Avenue and Casserly Road between a white Infiniti sedan and a gray Toyota sedan, California Highway Patrol officer Israel Murillo said.
A GoFundMe campaign created for Angeles describes him as a self-taught guitarist who was preparing to start a new job with Frito-Lay the morning after the crash. Organizers wrote that Angeles was excited about the opportunity and hoped it would allow him to better support his father, Martin.
He attended Soquel High School, those that knew him said.
CHP Officer Israel Murillo said a 19-year-old Watsonville man was driving a white Infiniti westbound on East Lake Avenue east of Casserly Road when it collided with a 2026 Toyota Camry driven by Angeles, who was traveling east through the intersection. Authorities have not determined either vehicle’s speed.
The Camry came to rest beneath a billboard on the dirt shoulder after sustaining catastrophic damage. Two occupants of the Infiniti suffered major injuries. One was airlifted by CALSTAR from a landing zone at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, while the other was transported by ambulance to an out-of-county trauma center.
Fire crews spent nearly an hour cutting into the Infiniti to reach trapped occupants. One injured passenger appeared conscious and was able to answer questions as rescuers removed him from the heavily damaged vehicle.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the collision. CHP is examining whether alcohol or drugs played a role. The Infiniti driver was arrested, but authorities have not released his identity.
Debris from both vehicles littered the intersection, including bumpers, license plates, shattered glass and engine components. Rescuers removed the roofs of both vehicles to access those trapped inside.
East Lake Avenue (Highway 152) remained closed in both directions for several hours, forcing motorists bound for Gilroy and Morgan Hill to detour via Highway 129.
Cal Fire led the rescue effort with assistance from Watsonville Fire, while multiple CHP officers remained on scene during the investigation.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact CHP dispatch at 831.796.2160.
