3 Teens Hurt in Trabuco Canyon Crash Still in Hospital; Counselors Visit School

Three Northwood High School teens remained hospitalized Tuesday with injuries caused Monday when their car plowed into a tree on a curving road in Trabuco Canyon, officials said.

Hurt in the crash were Kiumars Vafai and Sayyed Fakhari, both 17, and Michael Flynn, 16. Vafai, the driver, was airlifted to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. Fakhari and Flynn were taken to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.

Hospital officials declined to disclose their conditions.

California Highway Patrol officers said the teens were speeding south on Live Oak Canyon Road about 10:30 a.m. Monday in Vafai’s 1996 Honda Accord. Vafai lost control of the car and veered to the right shoulder, where he hit a large tree, said CHP Officer Joe Escobar.

Disputing information given to the CHP, Northwood Principal Tony Ferruzzo on Tuesday said the teens, who are track team members and honor students, had not left the Irvine school. He said they had no early classes and were not required to be on campus at that hour. “Our school policy is, once they come to campus, they’re not allowed to leave,” Ferruzzo said.

School officials briefed students Tuesday about the crash over the public address system. Psychologists were also sent to classrooms to provide counseling to teachers and students, many of whom have created get-well cards and posters.

“Our kids are upset, especially the juniors, and those who knew the boys really well,” Ferruzzo said. “Our thoughts are with them.”

He said some students and school officials are still affected by the death last year of Rebecca Cambridge, a 16-year-old sophomore. Cambridge was jogging in February 2003 when she was struck by a car.