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Deadly freeway collision devastates Southern California youth soccer community

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Relatives and youth soccer groups across Southern California have been 
left reeling after a fiery car accident killed two teenage boys, a man and 
a woman.

The deadly collision, which authorities suspect was the result of an 
illegal race, occurred Saturday on Interstate 15 in Temecula.

According to authorities, a BMW was traveling north at a high rate of 
speed when it suddenly veered left and leaped over the median. The BMW 
collided with an oncoming Nissan Sentra, and both vehicles burst into 
flames.

BMW passengers Jacob Labib, 15, and brother and sister Mina Sabet, 14, and 
Yostena Sabet, 22, all suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at 
the scene, according to relatives and the Riverside County coroner’s 
office.

Nicholas Callans, the 35-year-old driver of the Nissan, was also 
pronounced dead at the scene.

Girgis Alber, 23, the driver of the BMW and Yostena Sabet’s fiance, was 
pulled from the vehicle and taken to the Inland Valley Medical Center in 
critical condition, the California Highway Patrol said. An unidentified 
passenger of the Nissan was also listed in critical condition at the 
medical center.

According to the CHP, once Alber is treated for his injuries, he will be 
booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, child endangerment and 
engaging in a speed contest. The investigation continues, the CHP said.

The deaths have devastated family members, a church community and youth 
soccer players.

Jonah Labib, Jacob’s father, said the boys had enjoyed a full day of 
competitive tournament matches at the Albion Cup in Temecula before the 
accident. The boys, who lived in Moreno Valley, spent most of their time 
together as teammates on the SoCal Reds, a youth soccer club in the Elite 
Academy League.

“They had been friends since they were very little,” Labib said. “They did 
scouts together, Sunday school together, played soccer for the same club, 
almost in the same positions. They were inseparable.”

Since the boys were so close, it was a regular arrangement for their 
families to drive them to tournaments together, Labib said. Labib had to 
host a church service as Father of St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in 
Bellflower, so after driving the boys to their morning matches, he planned 
for Sabet’s family to drive them home.

But hours later, he received an emergency message from Jacob’s phone and 
could not reach him. When he arrived at his son’s location, officers 
informed him what had occurred.

“The youth of the church are greatly impacted by his departure,” Labib 
said. “He is God-fearing, extremely passionate about soccer, and a mentor 
to his little brothers. He was just a friend that his friends could rely 
on.”

Lynn Perez, head of soccer operations for the SoCalReds, created a 
GoFundMe page to help the families cover funeral costs. The effort has so 
far raised over $40,000 in support.

“Jacob and Mina were more than just teammates; they were friends, leaders, 
and an important part of our soccer family,” Perez wrote. “Their warmth, 
kindness, and passion for the game left an impact on everyone who had the 
privilege of knowing them.”

In a SoCal Red post about the crash, several other California youth soccer 
clubs shared their condolences and grief.

“Claremont Stars sending these families all kinds of love and comfort,” 
said the Claremont Stars football club.

“The entire Rangers FC family extends our deepest condolences to the 
families, friends, and teammates of Jacob and Mina. Our thoughts and 
prayers are with you during this heartbreaking time,” wrote the Rangers 
football club.

“The entire OC soccer community is thinking of you and with you,” said 
Orange County Soccer Club, a professional United Soccer League team.

Labib said his religion would help him through this time, if nothing else.

“The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away — Blessed be the name of 
the Lord,” he said.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-08-29/deadly-collision-
devastates-southern-california-youth-soccer

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Deadly freeway collision devastates Southern California youth soccer community Arab Immigration <kick@them.out> - 2025-09-05 01:09 +0200

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