Camp Pendleton identifies 3 Marines who died in fiery crash on Southern California freeway
Camp Pendleton officials on Tuesday identified three Marines who served in units belonging to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force among the four people who died in a fiery car crash on the 5 Freeway over the weekend.
Two of the Marines, Sgt. Daniel Nichols and Cpl. Rodrigo Zermeno Gomez Jr., were assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group. Staff Sgt. Joshua Moore Jr., was assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
“These U.S. Marines will truly be missed,” said a statement from the command. “Our thoughts are with the friends and families who are grieving this loss.”
Nichols, 26, of Texas, was an ammunition specialist who enlisted in April 2017. His service medals include the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Certificate of Commendation.
Gomez, 21, of Arizona, was a maintenance management specialist. He enlisted in August 2020 and medals he had received include the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Moore, 27, of Kentucky, was an ammunition chief. He enlisted in September 2014. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and a Certificate of Commendation.
The three Camp Pendleton Marines and another person who had not been identified as of Tuesday pending family notification died in the single-vehicle crash Saturday morning on the 5 Freeway in Downey, officials said. The California Highway Patrol received a call about 2:30 a.m. reporting the crash involving the 2018 Dodge Charger traveling south on the freeway. Investigators believe the driver lost control of the car, which then struck a concrete pillar and a metal guard rail, according to KCAL.
The force of the collision “caused the vehicle to split in two, subsequently ejecting the two rear passengers onto the right shoulder,” a statement from the California Highway Patrol said.
Mona Darwish and City News Service contributed to this report.