1 killed, 2 injured after wrong-way driver flips car in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. - An 18-year-old passenger was killed and paramedics rushed two people to a hospital Saturday after a BMW being driven the wrong way by an 18-year-old motorist overturned on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, authorities said.

Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched at 2:29 a.m. Saturday to the area of PCH and State Route 103, the Long Beach Fire Department reported.

Police said the BMW was going westbound in the eastbound lanes when it struck the south curb of PCH, lost control and struck a raised median and another curb then left the roadway.

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"When the vehicle left the roadway, it became airborne and overturned," an LBPD statement said. "The force of the collision ejected the rear passenger of the vehicle."

That passenger, identified by the coroner as Geronimo Reynaga of Wilmington, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver — an 18-year-old man from Wilmington  — and a front-seat passenger were taken to a hospital.

Police said impaired driving and speed were being investigated as possible factors in the crash.

The department's Collision Investigation Detail urged anyone with information about the crash to call them at 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477, or by visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.