1 dead and 2 injured in accident involving childhood friends in Bay Area

Article

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Bay Area childhood friends Johannes Sorensen, Matthew Mitiku and Joel Tesfai. The three young men were involved in an accident in Chula Vista, California, in San Diego County on Friday, August 16, 2024. Mitiku was killed. His friends were (Courtesy of GoFundMe – Support John, Matthew and Joel after their tragic accident)

CHULA VISTA, California. – Three long-time childhood friends from the Bay Area were involved in a fatal accident in Southern California that left one of the friends dead and the other two seriously injured.

The car accident occurred Friday morning off Interstate 805 in Chula Vista, San Diego County.

SEE ALSO: 3 dead in morning accident in Fremont

The California Highway Patrol said the driver of a Toyota Corolla lost control of his vehicle, veered off the highway and struck a concrete pillar. Neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected, investigators said.

Matthew Mitiku, 23, of Newark, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the San Diego County Coroner's Office. The medical examiner said Mitiku was a passenger in the back seat of the car.

Mitiku graduated from Washington High School in Fremont in 2019.

In a statement to KTVU on Tuesday, Principal Bob Moran said, “During his time at Washington, he was an outstanding student and athlete. The Washington community is saddened by his loss.”

The accident also left Mitiku's two friends, Joel Tesfai and Johannes (John) Sorensen, hospitalized with serious injuries, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Sara Tesfai on Monday.

“These three childhood friends turned brothers have always been a support to each other and everyone who knows them,” the GoFundMe campaign said.

Mitiku was remembered as “a ray of sunshine to his friends, family and those who were fortunate enough to witness him.”

The GoFundMe campaign describes 22-year-old Joel Tesfai, a recent graduate of UC Berkeley, as funny, selfless and genuine.

Tesfai is said to be pursuing a promising career in finance. He is also described as someone who places great value on his relationships.

“For Joel, it's not what he does that's important, but who he's around. Wherever he is, there's laughter,” the GoFundMe page said. “He never fails to mention that the people in his life are important to him. For Joel, there's nothing more important than God, his friends and his family.”

Sorensen, a graduate of San Jose State University, was reportedly pursuing a master's degree at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

“Anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing John would describe him as easy-going, compassionate and ambitious,” the GoFundMe campaign said, adding that he had a deep love for his family and the sport of football.

“He grew up playing football, which was not only a passion but a second family for him,” said the fundraiser's organizer. “His friends and family mean everything to him and he will stop at nothing to make sure they are happy.”

All three young men were said to be enthusiastic soccer players and active members of the Bay Area's Habesha and Christian community.

Their long-lasting bond and brotherhood began at a young age.

They were always there for each other, the GoFundMe campaign said, and continued: “Now we ask you to be there for them too.”

Organizers said the money raised will be used for medical bills, future rehabilitation and other support, including funeral expenses for Mitiku's family.

On Facebook, Mitiku's brother Biniam shared photos of himself and his older sibling and paid a heartbreaking and moving tribute to him, whom he called his best friend.

“Words cannot describe how I feel. I am shocked. There really was no one like you and there never will be,” the younger brother wrote. “As long as I live, I will always love you with everything I have.”

This story was reported from Oakland, California.