Placentia, CA (June 4, 2024) – A tragic car accident near El Dorado High School in Placentia has taken the life of a 17-year-old student. He was identified as 11th-grader Zach Henn.
Incident Details: The collision occurred around 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of Yorba Linda Blvd and Valencia Avenue, just a short distance from the campus. Henn was involved in a two-car crash while driving to school in his 1984 Corvette. Upon arrival, Placentia Police Department officers discovered that Henn had sustained major injuries and was trapped inside his vehicle. Although he was promptly extricated by Placentia Fire and Life Safety Department personnel and transported to the hospital, he was later pronounced dead. His male juvenile passenger managed to exit the vehicle on his own and was found at the scene. The other vehicle involved, a Range Rover driven by a 39-year-old woman, also contained two children, a boy and a girl. All occupants of the Range Rover, along with Henn’s passenger, were hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Community Impact: The death of Zach Henn has deeply affected the Placentia community, particularly his peers at El Dorado High School. Classmates have established a makeshift memorial at the site of the crash, decorating it with flowers and balloons to honor Henn’s memory. The school community and local residents are coming together during this difficult time to support one another and remember him.
Legal and Safety Considerations: Authorities are still investigating the cause of the collision, seeking to understand the dynamics that led to this fatal incident. As the investigation continues, any findings regarding the cause of the accident could have implications for road safety measures in the area, especially considering its proximity to a school. Currently, it’s unknown what caused the crash and whether or not someone ran a red light. However, if it’s found that negligence from another driver led to the victim’s death, the family could consider pursuing a wrongful death claim.
My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Zach Henn, as well as to all those affected by this heartbreaking incident. I hope that the investigation is able to determine the cause of the accident.
Source: KABC