17-Year-Old Dies in Crash After His Prom

LOS ANGELES — A 17-year-old on his way home from his high school prom was killed early Friday when his van crashed into a traffic light pole, police said.

Randy Romo, a student at Salesian High School in East Los Angeles, lost control of the van at 4:50 a.m. in the 2200 block of North Soto Street, said LAPD Lt. Larry Swanson. Romo was ejected and died at the scene from massive head, neck and body injuries, Swanson said.

There were no passengers or witnesses.

Romo was on his way home from his senior prom at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Swanson said. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Several bottles of an alcoholic beverage were found in the van. The coroner’s office will test Romo’s blood alcohol level, said investigator Dana Bee.