A 21-year-old Wrightwood woman who survived a deadly crash on Highway 2 says she is grateful to be alive after losing her younger brother and three friends in the early-morning wreck.
Naomi Potter was released from the hospital one day after the September 4 crash and says she still remembers the moments before the vehicle left the roadway.
“I feel like a walking miracle,” Potter said.
The crash happened at about 1:30 a.m. on State Route 2 between Big Pines and Wrightwood, along the eastern edge of the Angeles National Forest. Six people from Wrightwood were traveling in a black 2016 Hyundai Veloster when the vehicle veered off the roadway, overturned and went down an embankment before striking a power pole.
Four people died in the crash: 20-year-old Nevaeh Harper, 19-year-old Cole Torres, 21-year-old Rebeka Citlali Cabral Gonzalez and 19-year-old Jason Potter.
Jason was Naomi Potter’s younger brother.
Survivor describes the moments before the crash
Naomi said the group had been out together Friday night and was returning home when the situation suddenly changed.
She recalled Nevaeh Harper having difficulty with the vehicle’s clutch or shifting before the car lost control.
Potter said she remembers telling Harper to make sure she had control of the vehicle. Moments later, the car moved toward a turn and Potter braced herself for the impact.
The vehicle ultimately left the highway and crashed down the embankment.
Five of the six occupants were ejected during the collision, according to preliminary information released by the California Highway Patrol. Four of those people died at the scene, while the two survivors were taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
Potter recovering from injuries
Potter said she was sitting in the front passenger seat and was wearing a seat belt during the crash.
She suffered fractured ribs and a severely bruised lung, along with a visible seat-belt mark.
The other surviving passenger remained hospitalized as of the latest reports.
CHP investigators have said preliminary findings indicate that none of the six occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, although Potter has said she was restrained. Investigators also believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor. The findings remain preliminary as the investigation continues.
Four young Wrightwood residents identified
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has now identified all four people who died.
They were:
- Nevaeh Harper, 20
- Cole Torres, 19
- Rebeka Citlali Cabral Gonzalez, 21
- Jason Potter, 19
All four were from Wrightwood, according to authorities.
The deaths have left families and friends mourning across the small mountain community.
Jason Potter’s family is asking for prayers as they cope with the loss. Fundraisers have also been established to help families with funeral and related expenses.
“This is a huge event that happened all at once. Six kids, six families — it’s tragedy,” Jason’s father said.
Investigation continues
The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Investigators are continuing to examine what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information that could assist investigators is being asked to contact the CHP’s Antelope Valley Area office.
For Naomi Potter, the investigation comes as she and the other families face the aftermath of a crash that took four young lives in a matter of seconds.
She said she is thankful to have survived and is now recovering while remembering the brother and friends she lost.
