Victims identified in Trabuco Canyon crash

Two teenagers who were killed when the Ford Mustang they were riding in crashed into a tree in Orange County have been identified.

Mark Motley, 18, and Zachary Rafferty, 17, both of Trabuco Canyon, died at the scene Monday afternoon when their car crashed on Trabuco Canyon Road, a winding road that veers through the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in the unincorporated community of Trabuco Canyon.

According to state records, the silver 2008 Mustang was registered about three weeks ago in Motley’s name. He was behind the wheel of the car when it crashed, according to the county coroner.

Motley had graduated last year from Santa Margarita Catholic High School; Rafferty was a junior there. The two teenagers were the only people in the car, and the crash did not appear to have involved any other vehicles, said California Highway Patrol Officer Gabe Montoya.

Investigating officers believe that high speed may have been a factor in the accident.

— Paloma Esquivel

Comments

[Matt]

Too bad about these guys... I never met Mark, but Zack was a friend of mine. He was always doing stupid stuff like this so I'm not surprised... In fact he got a note from the nurse to go home in the middle of class, which led to this happening. The last thing he ever said was "I'll see you guys tomorrow"

[Gabi]

Really Matt? What other stupid things like that did Zach do?

[natalie russell]

have a little more respect instead of saying you're "not surprised". They were teenage boys who made a bad decision. Maybe it'll help or save someone else from doing what they did. But in the mean time if you didn't actually mark or have anything good to say about them, then shut up.

[Steve Mino]

Gabi and Natalie: Thank you on behalf of the family. Matt please do not call Zach your friend and then insult him in a public forum. You do not represent your school or faith very well by showing up like this. Someday you will regret your remarks but you can, as we do, relate them to your immaturity.