Yuma Marine in stable condition after fatal car accident

The Yuma Marine injured Friday morning in a fatal car crash in Mexicali, in which four others died, including two other off-duty Marines, is listed in stable condition at a San Diego hospital.

The off-duty Marines who were killed have been identified as Lance Cpl. Julio C. Galvan and Pvt. 1st Class Isidro I. Godinez. Both were members of the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

The Yuma-based Marine injured in that accident has been identified as 20-year-old Jose Villegas Jr.

Villegas, who is from Calexico, is a member of VMA-513 and works in the maintenance administration department. He enlisted in the Marines in September 2007.

According to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Spokesman Capt. Rob Dolan, the injured Yuma Marine was never taken to a Yuma hospital as was mistakenly reported in the Yuma Sun's original story about the accident.

Dolan said the injured Marine was taken to a hospital in Mexicali, before being taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley. From there he was taken to University of California, San Diego Medical Center.

Galvan, a 21-year-old automotive diesel mechanic from Maywood Ill., served with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 24, 2008 and has never been deployed. His personal service awards include the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Godinez, a 19-year-old automotive diesel mechanic from Calexico, also served with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Godinez enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 17, 2008 and had not been deployed yet either.

His personal service awards include the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

The accident occurred on the highway between San Luis Rio Colorado and Mexicali, at about 3 a.m. Friday. The Mitsubishi Galant 2007 slammed into a light pole, according to San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., police.

According to the Mexicali Municipal police the accident occurred as the vehicle was fleeing Mexican police, who had stopped them for a speeding violation.

Also killed in the wreck, police said, were two female passengers in the car:  Karla Isabel Barraza Martínez and Alma Leticia Barraza Camacho. 

A Camp Pendleton spokesman said there is currently a restriction in place that bars Marines from going to Mexico, due to the ongoing cartel violence and health concerns.

However, off-duty Marines may travel to Mexico if they receive prior command approval. The Camp Pendleton spokesman added that it is not known whether the Marines had received approval to travel to Mexico, but it is part of the Marines investigation into the accident.

Mexican police said the vehicle had been stopped for speeding, but that the unidentified driver fled from officers after being unable to present a vehicle registration for inspection.