An uncle and nephew who were killed when their Ford Mustang wrapped around a light pole in Pasadena on Wednesday were carpooling to work with coworkers, police said.

Reynold Chilel-Ramirez, 23, was driving about 7 a.m. when the Mustang collided with a mid-sized SUV at Lake Avenue and Villa Street, then struck a light pole and split in half.

Ramirez was rushed to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. His nephew, Adelfo Chilel-Lopez, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene. The pair lived together in Pasadena.

“It’s a tragedy,” Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema said.


Two other male passengers were trapped in the back seat of the Ford and had to be extricated. They suffered serious injuries and were taken to an area hospital, Lisa Derderian, a Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman.

The three men and teen worked in the San Gabriel Valley and were headed to work.

Authorities said there is no indication the vehicles were racing, but the Ford Mustang was speeding.

Investigators are looking for surveillance video and were interviewing witnesses to determine what happened moments before the vehicles collided, Hettema said.


Early estimates show the Ford’s speeds were in excess of 80 mph, he said. Speeds may have been higher at impact.

The SUV’s driver also was sent to the hospital with minor injuries.

“It was pretty horrific, especially for our first responders,” Derderian said.

READ MORE: 2 men killed, 3 others injured in ‘horrific’ crash in Pasadena


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