2 teens killed in crash near SeaWorld identified
KGTV
By: Jermaine Ong
and last updated 2021-04-23 17:16:55-04
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) Authorities Friday identified two teens killed earlier this week in a crash near SeaWorld San Diego.
According to police, 18-year-old Kulten Sargent was driving a pickup truck on the westbound side of Sea World Drive when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck what was described as a large metal sign post.
Emergency responders pulled Sargent and an 18-year-old female passenger, identified as Ava Bender, from the wreckage.
Despite life-saving measures, both teens were pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Emergency crews freed the young man and woman from the crumpled vehicle. The both died at the scene.
Police believe Sargent may have been speeding when he lost control. When firefighters arrived, they began the process of getting them out.
Buttle said the truck was “so badly mangled,” police thought there may have been more than two people inside.
NBC 7 spoke with a friend at the scene of the deadly crash who said the victims were part of a group of friends who had just left a bonfire at Fiesta Cove and were headed to a second one at Ventura Cove.
SAN DIEGO
Authorities on Friday released the names of two 18-year-olds killed in a crash near SeaWorld earlier this week.
The county Medical Examiner’s office identified them as Kulten Sargent of Ramona and Ava Bender of San Diego. Police initially said they were both 19 years old.
The pair were in a 2003 Ford F-150 headed west on SeaWorld Drive when Sargent lost control of the pickup about 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, according to authorities.
The vehicle slammed into a pole, and the two were trapped inside the wreckage, police said. Firefighters pried open the pickup to free them, but Sargent and Bender died before they could be taken to a hospital.