Three teenagers from Orange County, ages 15, 16 and 17, were killed in a single‑vehicle crash on the southbound 5 Freeway near the Lincoln exit in Anaheim early Thursday morning. The accident occurred at approximately 3:15 a.m. on September 3, 2026, and resulted in the deaths of all occupants.
According to California Highway Patrol investigators, the vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a guardrail before colliding with a concrete pillar. None of the three teens were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, a factor that may have contributed to the severity of the injuries.
The CHP arrived on scene shortly after the crash was reported and secured the area while conducting an initial investigation. Officials have not released the make or model of the vehicle involved, nor have they identified a specific cause for the loss of control beyond the vehicle leaving the road.
The location of the wreck, just past the Lincoln exit on the southbound 5 Freeway, is a heavily traveled corridor that sees a high volume of traffic during the early morning hours. The crash underscores the risks associated with traveling without seat belt use, especially among teenage drivers and passengers.
Investigators continue to examine evidence from the scene, including vehicle data and road conditions, to determine the precise circumstances that led to the fatal crash. No further injuries were reported, and the freeway was reopened after cleanup and safety checks were completed.