In the quiet predawn hours of a Wednesday morning, the lives of two Long Beach men were tragically cut short in a devastating head-on collision that has left the community grappling with grief. Elmer Ramirez Sosa, a 20-year-old with dreams yet to be realized, and Salvador Medina, a 35-year-old known for his warmth and dedication to his family, were pronounced dead at the scene of a violent crash near Seventh Street and Terraine Avenue. The incident, which unfolded just after 6:20 a.m., has prompted an outpouring of sorrow and a renewed call for road safety in the city.
The Long Beach Police Department, alongside paramedics from the Long Beach Fire Department, responded swiftly to the emergency call, arriving to a scene of wreckage that underscored the severity of the collision. Investigators later pieced together the events leading to the tragedy. Elmer Ramirez Sosa was driving a blue Honda Civic sedan westbound on Seventh Street at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, he lost control of the vehicle, veering into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with a red Honda Accord driven by Salvador Medina. The impact was catastrophic, leaving both vehicles mangled and the drivers with no chance of survival.
Salvador Medina, identified by authorities on Wednesday, was a beloved figure in his community. A Long Beach resident, he was known for his tireless work ethic and his commitment to those around him. Friends and family described him as a man who lived for the small moments—sharing laughter with loved ones and lending a hand whenever needed. Elmer Ramirez Sosa, identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Friday, was a young man at the cusp of adulthood. At just 20 years old, he was remembered by those close to him as ambitious and full of potential, with a bright future that was tragically extinguished.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with detectives from the Long Beach Police Department’s Collision Investigation Detail working to uncover the factors that led to the fatal collision. Authorities have not yet determined whether substances, mechanical failure, or other distractions played a role in Ramirez Sosa’s loss of control. The stretch of Seventh Street where the crash occurred, just east of Recreation Park, is a well-traveled corridor, and residents have long voiced concerns about speeding in the area. This tragedy has reignited those discussions, with community members calling for increased traffic enforcement and safety measures to prevent future losses.
The Long Beach Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Detective David Dougherty, leading the investigation, can be reached at 562-570-7358. For those who wish to provide tips anonymously, Crime Stoppers offers a confidential line at 800-222-8477, and information can also be submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org. Authorities hope that witnesses or additional details will help clarify the circumstances of the crash and provide closure to the families left behind.
As Long Beach mourns the loss of Elmer Ramirez Sosa and Salvador Medina, the city is reminded of the fragility of life and the shared responsibility to ensure safer roads. The families of both men have been enveloped in an outpouring of support, with memorials growing at the site of the crash. For now, the community holds tight to memories of two lives lost too soon, while seeking answers and advocating for change to prevent such heartbreak in the future.