Omar Benitez-Medina, 18, of Salinas, died following a crash on Reservation Road near East Garrison in Monterey County, California.
The collision happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday, October 5, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP dispatch confirmed the crash in the area where East Garrison meets Reservation Road. Officers responded to the scene as investigators began working to determine what happened.
Eastbound Reservation Road was closed while CHP officers investigated the crash. Authorities initially released few details about the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The Monterey County Coroner’s Office later identified Benitez-Medina as the person who died in the incident.
A family fundraiser has since been established by Vicente Medina, identified as Omar’s brother, to help cover funeral expenses and final arrangements. The fundraiser describes Omar’s passing as a devastating loss for the family and asks supporters to help ease the financial burden during the grieving process.
The crash occurred during a period when another fatal collision was also being investigated in the Salinas area. Authorities have treated the incidents as separate crashes.
At this stage, officials have not publicly released detailed information about what caused Omar’s crash or whether another vehicle was involved. The circumstances remain under investigation.
Omar was only 18 years old. His death has left his family and loved ones facing the difficult task of making funeral arrangements while mourning the loss of a young life.
The family has encouraged those unable to donate to support them by sharing the fundraiser and keeping Omar and his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.
The investigation into the Reservation Road crash remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
