City Council Adjourns in Memory of Local Residents Killed in Car Accident

The City Council adjourned on Monday in memory of three people who died in a horrific traffic accident.

Moheb Samuel, 22, Stefan Pfeiffer, 20, a Pasadena City College student and an Eagle Scout, and a 22-year-old man whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin were killed in a horrific traffic accident on Saturday.

“Our hearts go out to those affected in their families,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “But let’s keep in mind, I think it’s appropriate as we’re having this discussion about in the presence of our police officers, the officers and the staff that report to these incidents and the impact that it has to see kids 17 years old having been involved in a horrific accident like this, and many of them are parents themselves, and to see any resident, but certainly young people.

Police say the vehicle was traveling westbound on Foothill Boulevard at speeds exceeding 100 mph when it ran a red light at Sierra Madre Boulevard, narrowly avoiding a collision with a northbound vehicle. The Tesla then struck a curb and was launched into the air before colliding with a power pole and a vacant building.

Three other passengers, Emerson Newquist, 20, Bella Ramirez, 18, and a 17-year-old female, who is Samuel’s younger sister, were transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. They are currently in stable condition. The 17-year-old remains in critical condition.

Some of the individuals involved in the crash had ties to Maranatha High School, and the previously planned Senior Ditch Day event was canceled. On Monday, counselors were available at Maranatha High School to support students and staff mourning the loss and serious injuries to their peers.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Emerson Newquist, one of the survivors, with living and medical expenses as he undergoes physical therapy and is unable to continue working.

Investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor, but toxicology results are pending. Investigators also noted that three of the four passengers in the rear compartment were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected during the crash.

The accident caused a power outage affecting 663 residents and businesses, which was fully restored by Saturday afternoon. The building struck by the Tesla sustained significant damage and has been yellow-tagged.