Huntington Beach – Authorities in Huntington Beach are continuing to investigate a violent seven-vehicle collision that left one man dead and sent several others — including two officers from the Orange County Probation Department — to the hospital.
The crash occurred around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at the busy intersection of Goldenwest Street and Heil Avenue, an area known for steady afternoon traffic and multiple commercial access points. According to spokesperson Jessica Cuchilla of the Huntington Beach Police Department, first responders arrived within minutes.
The man killed in the collision has been identified as Ryan Mark Larson, 37, of Huntington Beach, according to the Orange County Coroner’s Office.
Witnesses Report Tesla Traveling at Extreme Speed
Early witness accounts and police statements indicate that a gray Tesla Model 3 had been traveling eastbound on Heil Avenue at what one witness estimated to be “possibly over 100 miles per hour.” Investigators say the Tesla lost control while entering the Goldenwest intersection, striking multiple vehicles. Debris then ricocheted across lanes, damaging additional cars.
Video provided to ABC7 Eyewitness News captured the moment two vehicles collided in the intersection, underscoring the crash’s force. After rolling several times, the Tesla came to rest just east of the intersection.
Larson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Several Injured, Including Probation Officers
Fire personnel with the Huntington Beach Fire Department transported three victims — including an Orange County Probation officer — to local hospitals in stable condition. Others were treated on-site for less severe injuries.
A nearby shop owner, who asked to be identified only as Mark, described hearing “a boom like an explosion,” adding that the scene “looked like a movie stunt gone wrong.”
Why This Story Matters
Goldenwest and Heil is a major commuter intersection, making the crash a community safety concern beyond a single incident. Local data from road-safety researchers consistently show that high-speed driving remains one of the leading causes of severe collisions in Southern California urban corridors.
Transportation analyst Dr. Elena Martinez, offering general context, said, “Electric vehicles like Teslas are incredibly powerful. When speed and loss of control combine, outcomes can be catastrophic regardless of vehicle type.”
Community Response and Ongoing Investigation
Residents have taken to neighborhood forums urging the city to review traffic-calming measures at the intersection, though authorities have not indicated whether roadway conditions played any role.
Huntington Beach police say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information or video footage is encouraged to contact the department.
As the community processes the tragedy, officials emphasize patience and caution during the busy holiday season — a period when both traffic volumes and collision rates historically rise.
