Otay Mesa

21-Year-Old Killed in Freeway Crash Near U.S.-Mexico Border

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A 21-year-old driver was killed Tuesday night in a car crash in Otay Mesa West that seriously injured five of his passengers, all of whom were teens.

The crash happened at around 9:15 p.m. in westbound lanes of State Route 905 at Beyer Boulevard, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

NBC 7's Artie Ojeda is at UC San Diego Medical Center where some of the passengers are still recovering.

CHP later identified the driver as Rolando Mora Labandelo of San Ysidro.

Labandelo was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed before crashing into the guardrail along the left lane and rolled over, CHP said.

Officers reported the driver was a teenager Tuesday night, then clarified Wednesday he was 21 years old.

Labandelo was ejected from the vehicle and was declared dead at the scene, according to the CHP.

The teen driver was thrown from the vehicle in the crash. NBC 7's Omari Fleming has the story.

There were five other passengers in the car, two of whom had to be rescued from the mangled car by first responders.

All five of the Labandelo's passengers were between the ages of 15 and 19 years old, according to CHP.

Two of the passengers were cousins, and they're both recovering from multiple broken bones at UC San Diego Medical Center.

"I can't describe what I'm feeling right now because I'm destroyed inside, seeing my brother in that situation just crushed my soul," said Ivan Nares, an older brother to one of the victims.

His younger brother suffered a fractured neck, pelvis, and leg, and his 19-year-old cousin broke his arm, nose and hip, Nares said. While their injuries are serious, they are not life threatening.

"I just want to say to all the people, be careful, don't try to race at the freeway. If you're young and you like it, there's an example of what can happen if you try to do that kind of risky thing," Nares said.

Check back for updates on this developing news story.

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