Wrightwood, CA - Four Killed in Highway 2 Rollover Crash, Three Victims Identified

Wrightwood, CA (September 4, 2026) - Four people died and two others were airlifted to the hospital in critical condition after a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 2 near Flume Canyon Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. Friday. Investigators say a Hyundai Veloster, a hatchback with five seats, was carrying six occupants when it went down an embankment, flipped several times, and struck a pole. Several people were ejected.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified three of the four people killed as 19-year-old Jason Potter, 20-year-old Nevaeh Harper, and 21-year-old Rebekah Cabral-Gonzalez, all from the Wrightwood area. The identity of the fourth victim had not been released as of this writing.

The CHP said its preliminary investigation indicates none of the occupants were wearing seat belts, and that alcohol is likely a contributing factor in the crash.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

What Families Should Know After a Fatal Rollover Crash in California

A crash this severe, with more occupants than seats and a preliminary finding of alcohol involvement, raises legal questions that go beyond the driver alone.

Can the families of the passengers who died pursue a claim?
Generally, yes. If a driver's impairment or negligence contributed to the crash, the families of passengers who were killed may have a wrongful death claim against that driver, and potentially against the vehicle's owner if it was someone other than the driver.

Does riding without a seat belt end a family's claim?
No. California follows a pure comparative fault rule, so a family can still recover damages even if a lack of seat belt use becomes part of the case. It may reduce the amount recovered, but it does not bar a claim outright.

Could anyone besides the driver share responsibility?
Because the CHP has flagged alcohol as a likely factor and several of those involved were under 21, California law allows a claim in some circumstances against an adult who knowingly furnished alcohol to a minor who then caused injury. That angle depends entirely on facts the investigation has not yet released.

What is the filing deadline?
California generally gives a family two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim (CCP 377.60). Based on the September 4, 2026 date of this crash, that deadline falls on September 4, 2028 for the families of those who died at the scene.

Contact Our Southern California Wrongful Death Attorneys

A community losing four young people in a single crash, with two more still hospitalized, is the kind of loss that does not settle into words for a long time, and no family should have to sort through what happened while they are still grieving.

Our California wrongful death lawyers have handled multi-victim crash cases involving impaired drivers and vehicles carrying more passengers than they were built for, and the firm has recovered more than $200 million for clients across Southern California.

Highway 2's black box data, cell phone records, and any receipts or surveillance tied to where the alcohol came from are the kind of evidence that can disappear quickly once the investigation closes, so it is worth having someone preserve it now.

There is no cost to speak with our office, and we do not get paid unless we recover money for your family.

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Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.