Photo Credit: Facebook, used with permission granted by the Tapia family
Two motorists, identified as Matthew George Tapia, 24, of Santa Ana, and Corina Villareal, 54, of Azusa, were killed Thursday at about 1:30 a.m. in a head-on crash near Whittier at First Avenue, near Candlelight Drive, in the unincorporated county area, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement, according to the Whittier Daily News.
Tapia was the son of George and Anita Tapia, who are members of the Tustin Calvary Chapel Church. He was home on leave from the U.S. Marines when the accident occurred.
The O.C. Register reported that Tapia was driving a red 1999 Isuzu Trooper south on First Avenue, approaching Candlelight Drive at an unknown speed when he apparently allowed the vehicle to drift to his left, across the double yellow lines and the crash occurred. Villareal was driving a Lexus IS 250 northbound on First Avenue when Tapia’s vehicle crashed into hers. She was borrowing her friend’s car when the crash occurred, according to the Inside So Cal Blog.
Photo Credit: Inside So Cal Blog
Corina Villarreal grew in Azusa, where she spend most of her life, and attended Azusa High School, family members said. She also lived in La Mirada for a period during a former marriage, according to the Inside So Cal Blog.
The CHP is investigating whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved. Given the time of the crash it may well be that drowsy driving was a factor.
Funeral plans have not yet been announced.
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ignorant ghetto replies.it was an accident
I a sitting here reading both sides how sad, don't forget they both had family's that loved them very much and the only thing you are doing with these harsh remarks are hurting them.I have known Corina since high school and yes it hurts and my husband works with Matthew's father he said he was so excited his son was home on leave for the holiday's,he said they are very good people so please stop blaming him,there gone and there's nothing anyone could do now. Just pray that both family's get through this and have nothing but good memorie's.
I believe this is the nicest reply I have read it is sad for both sides of the family and both parties had to been going really fast to cause such an empact but no matter how u spin it it will never change the fact it was an accedent he did not intentional take someone's life or his own .
That's a HUGE amount of beer I seen in those photos of Corina. Who's the fool that posted them and who lent her the car she was driving? I'm assuming she had been drinking. Who killed who? It sounds like there is a lot of blame to go around.
Never ASSume that picture is 3yrs ago if you must know FOOL with lot of other people in it.
Ha! You must have posted that picture. You missed the point knuckle head/fool, she was surrounded by beer, no matter when the picture was taken. Maybe she was behind the wheel drunk.
Anonymous . My heart goes out to the villarreal family
Anonymous. Azusa resident, matthew was a great kid. To bad his life was taken so soon. He was in the Marines getting ready to fight for his country. Have consideration he was going to fight for you as well, there is more to this story get your story right. My heart goes out to the Tapia family. We'll see who in the wrong .I pray that when the results come i out. They will see who was at fault. His parent's are serving the Lord.
Daisy I totally agree with you. Ana. He was here on leave, and what didn't happen to him in the base, happened to him here. So sad a drunk driver did this to him. His parent's were so excited that he was here for the holiday's. My prayer go out to his family.
My name is Lola she was at a bar prior to the accident. All those pictures of beer of beer says every thing. Dumb people posting pictures of the 3 girls at a bar, they think we're ignorant. Let the detectives do their home work. Then will see who killed who. Let this rest and the out come tell it's truth. All this will reveal.
I pray for both family's that the man upstairs give both families the strenght peace and comfort they need at this difficult time. I don't think a parent should bury their child. But if your going to drink make sure you have a some one that is not going to drink so they can drive home safely. Let this be a lesson to all of us.
Matthew, did not drink. He was very sociable, he was out going, love life to the fullest. Had a smile from ear to ear, he loved every body and would take his jacket off and give it to the homeless if needed to. I loved Matthew with all my heart and I still do, he will always be in our heart's. Just so sad he was taken out by a drunk driver. May he RIP. You will always be remembered by his loved ones.