Big-wave surfer hurt in crash

Milton Willis, an expert in the sport of big-wave surfing, was seriously injured early Friday in Del Mar when he lost control of the car he was driving and struck a palm tree. His 24-year old passenger was killed, officials said.

Investigators believe alcohol was a “major factor” in the collision, said Lt. William Donahue of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Bradley James Dillahunty, 24, of Laguna Niguel, died at the scene of multiple blunt force injuries, authorities said. Dillahunty was a former football player at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and a former coach at the school.

Witnesses told deputies about 1:40 a.m. that the car was headed north on Coast Boulevard going about 65 mph in a 25-mph zone.

It ran a stop sign, then bottomed out in a dip in the intersection, when the driver lost control, Donahue said.

The car slid across the road and struck an empty parked car before hitting a large palm tree on the passenger side, Donahue said.

Willis, 51, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partly ejected from the car’s rear window; he was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.

Willis’ identical twin, Michael, said his brother’s neck, right ribs and jaw are broken. He is on life support under intensive care. “The fact that he’s alive is a miracle,” Michael Willis said.

Michael Willis said he had just returned home from an evening of playing music with Dillahunty and his brother in Solana Beach when he heard a car crash outside. His girlfriend ran outside to render aid -- unknowingly comforting a crash victim she would later realize was Milton -- while Michael called for help. The brothers live near each other.

Michael Willis said he didn’t understand why they were driving so late, adding that “I thought they were going to stay in Solana Beach and rock till 5 in the morning.” Michael Willis described Dillahunty as “an excellent rocker and a great surfer . . . Brad is one of my brother’s tightest friends,” he said.

The Willis brothers run a San Diego-based surfing school. They are known for surfing some of the world’s largest waves.

According to their website, they have written five books on surfing philosophy, including “Discover the Greatness in You.” Michael Willis said his brother holds the record for surfing the two largest waves in Hawaii.

The brothers were featured on an episode of VH1’s “Surreal Life” in 2004, trying to teach surfing to cast members, including Flavor Flav, Brigitte Nielsen and “American Idol” runner-up Ryan Starr.

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tami.abdollah@latimes.com