The fatal accident occurred at the intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Anaheim, CA – Two people were killed, and several others were hospitalized following a violent, multi-vehicle collision caused by a speeding driver in Anaheim early Tuesday morning, according to the Anaheim Police Department.
Authorities identified the deceased as 14-year-old Andrew Joseph Sanchez of Anaheim and 70-year-old Alberto Viveros Piedra of Orange.
The fatal accident occurred at the intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The incident began when an officer spotted a silver Infiniti traveling at a high rate of speed near Harbor Boulevard and Cypress Street. The driver of the Infiniti reportedly extinguished the vehicle’s headlights and fled the area. While the officer did not engage in a pursuit, the Infiniti continued at high speeds until it ran a red light at the intersection of Anaheim and Lincoln, slamming into three other vehicles.
Andrew Sanchez, a passenger in the speeding Infiniti, and Alberto Piedra, the driver of a red car involved in the wreckage, were both killed in the crash. At least two other victims were transported to a local trauma center in critical condition.
Several more individuals were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening. No immediate arrests were confirmed as the investigation into the driver of the Infiniti continues.
The cause of the crash has been attributed to excessive speed and a red-light violation by the driver of the silver Infiniti. Police noted that the driver’s decision to disable the vehicle’s lighting further contributed to the dangerous conditions before the impact.
Anaheim Police Department officers and emergency fire personnel responded to the scene immediately following the collision. Medics worked to extricate victims from the mangled vehicles before transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
The intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue remained closed for several hours Tuesday morning as a massive field of debris was cleared and investigators documented the scene. The heavy congestion impacted local commuters well into the morning. The incident remains under investigation by the Anaheim Police Department.
In 2023, Orange County recorded 176 traffic-related fatalities, with speeding being a primary factor in nearly 30% of all fatal collisions, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that crashes involving high speeds and red-light violations remain a leading cause of multi-vehicle fatalities in urban intersections across California.
In the wake of a tragic loss, families are urged to consult with a legal professional to fully explore their rights and determine the best path forward.