A man died after crashing into a palm tree in Santa Ana early this morning

SANTA ANA, CA (November 2, 2024)- A 20-year-old man died at the scene after his vehicle struck a palm tree while he was driving, according to the SAPD.

On Saturday, November 2, 2024, at approximately 6:50 a.m., Santa Ana Police received multiple reports of a vehicle collision involving a tree near Bristol Street and 1st Street. Officers arrived to find a sedan that had crashed into a palm tree on the raised median. The vehicle was occupied by a solo driver who was unresponsive.

The driver, identified as Marco Antonio Mares-Sanchez (20) of Santa Ana, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Orange County Fire Authority. Based on the preliminary investigation, Marco was driving southbound on Bristol St. at Walnut St. when the vehicle drove over the raised center median for reasons unknown and collided into the base of the large palm tree before coming to rest on the median.
At this time, it is unknown whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) is investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant R. Shin at (714) 245-8294 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200