Phillip Michael Villafana dies in fatal Santa Ana car wash crash
Fatal Santa Ana car wash crash death of Phillip Michael Villafana – Obituary
Phillip Michael Villafana, 27, of Long Beach, was killed when a vehicle ran over him at the Orange Coin Car Wash on January 27, 2026. Santa Ana Police and Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived at the scene shortly after 2:26 p.m., finding Villafana trapped beneath the car. Firefighters extricated him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary reports indicate Villafana was lying in the car wash driveway when the vehicle entered the property and struck him. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated but was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit is handling the case and has asked anyone with information to contact Detective J. Martinez or the Traffic Division.