DMV: Alleged Driver In OC Crash That Killed 5 Teens Didn't Have A License
IRVINE (CBSLA.com) — The teen identified by the Orange County Coroner as the driver in a single-car crash that killed five teens – including himself — on Memorial Day, was driving without a license, the California Department of Motor Vehicles told CBS2/KCAL9 Wednesday.
According to records, 17-year-old Abdurlrahman M. Alyahyan, a senior at University High School in Irvine, did not have a valid California driver's license when his car hit a tree and caught fire Monday evening on Jamboree Road and Island Lagoon Drive in Newport Beach.
DMV officials tell CBS2/KCAL9 that Alyahyan was in the process of getting a provisional license and had yet to prove his legal status in the United States, a requirement for any type of driver's license.
Despite the coroner's report, the Newport Beach Police Department has not confirmed that Alyahyan was the driver of the vehicle.
Alyahyan, Nozad Al Hamawendi, 16, a junior at Irvine High School; Cecilia Zamora, 17, a junior at Irvine High; and sisters Robin Cabrera, 17, and Aurora Cabrera, 16, both of Irvine High, were also killed in the accident.
Four teens were pronounced dead at the scene, and the fifth was declared dead at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.
Police say speed was a factor in the crash.
Students and staff returned to the Irvine and University high school campuses Wednesday, where memorials had been set up.
"We normally have four counselors and one psychologist. Today we have 25 and more will be called as needed," Ian Hanigan of the Irvine Unified School District said.
The identity of the owner of the vehicle involved in the crash has not been released.
Alyahyan's family has declined request for comment.
Newport Police say their investigation is ongoing.
