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Three teenagers killed in a Christmas car crash near Pleasanton were all sophomores at Dublin High School.
The Dublin Unified School District identified the boys killed as Javier Ramirez, 16, and twin brothers Mark Anthony Urista and Michael Angelo Urista, both 16.
A fourth Dublin High Student, junior Samantha Vargas Arceo, 16, remains in the hospital, a school district spokeswoman said. Another teen — the Urista twins’ cousin, Jared Reynoso — was also injured in the crash and hospitalized, according to the twins’ mother, Ana Reynoso.
She described the boys as “full of life” and said their loss was “devastating.”
“Our entire community is mourning the loss of three Dublin High School students whose lives were taken much too soon,” school district superintendent Dave Marken said in a written statement. “We’d like to share our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our students and let them know they are in our thoughts during this difficult time.”
The five teenagers were in a car traveling south on Foothill Road near Castlewood Drive around 10 p.m. on Christmas when the car veered into the northbound lanes and lost control, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Tyler Hahn. The car hit the power pole, causing it to break off at its base, before colliding with a large tree just east of the roadway and rolling over.
The three boys were pronounced dead at the scene, Hahn said. He added that the two teens who were injured had both been ejected from the vehicle, and were rushed to the hospital.
Reynoso remained in critical condition at the hospital on Friday, according to his family members. The condition of Vargas Arceo was not known.
As news of the fatal accident spread Friday, friends of the teens shared photos and remembrances on social media of the three boys killed, under the hashtag #longlivemmj, for Michael, Mark and Javier. A GoFundMe page set up to benefit the family of the Urista boys had raised more than $75,000 as of Friday afternoon.
“You helped me and I could always count on you to make me feel better,” a classmate, Teju Jaigopi, wrote in one Instagram post. “I can’t believe that this happened to Javier, Michael, and Mark. I am absolutely heartbroken but you guys are in a better place now.”
“Stay strong and please stay safe,” she added.
When Dublin High students go back to school on Jan. 6, there will be grief counselors available to them, according to the superintendent’s statement.
“Our hearts hurt for our students, families and Dublin High School colleagues,” he said. He also noted that there will be a candlelight vigil for the students killed on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 5 p.m. at the high school.
Nico Savidge contributed to this report.
