A Santa Ana man was killed in a crash caused by a speeding driver

Reuben Contreras, a Santa Ana resident, tragically passed away in a traffic collision in Santa Ana on Saturday, December 21, 2024.

The deadly collision happened near Harbor Boulevard and Croddy Way at around 9:20 a.m., according to the SAPD. 

On Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 9:19 a.m., the Santa Ana Police Department received multiple calls regarding a traffic collision involving two vehicles, a GMC Sierra and a Toyota Camry, at Harbor Blvd. and Croddy Way. Officers, along with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), responded to the scene and located the male driver of the Camry unresponsive. Despite life-saving measures, OCFA pronounced him deceased at the scene. The male driver of the GMC was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.

Surveillance video footage shows a Toyota Camry sedan that was waiting to make a left turn in the middle of the road. As the sedan turned into a parking lot, an oncoming GMC pickup truck that was speeding slammed into the vehicle.

The truck appeared to flip over the sedan upon impact andthe sedan was shoved into a light pole, knocking it down. Both vehicles were totaled and after the collision they came to a stop near the side of the road.

Anyone with additional information on the case is asked to call SAPD police detective Catlin at 714-245-8224 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at 714-245-8200.

Contreras’ cousin Christine Brito started a GoFundMe page on behalf of his younger brother, Eric Contreras, to assist with funeral and related expenses. The page has already raised almost $15K.

Contreras was only 25 years old and he had his entire life ahead of him. He was a responsible young man and always put his single mother Natalie Esperon and his youngest brother Eric first in all his plans. He was selfless, gentle, respectful, and reserved.

His family is broken this holiday season without Reuben. He will be forever missed and they ask for your thoughts and prayers as they embark on the unimaginable.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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