Three Pendleton Marines Killed in Crash Are ID'ed

The three Camp Pendleton Marines killed early Tuesday in Dana Point when their car slammed into a tree have been indentified.

Corporal Christopher Arzola, 21, of Westfield, Mass., Sergeant Jeremiah Callahan, 23, of Chadron, Neb., and Corporal Jason Chleborad, 22, of Rapid City, S.D., died on that rainy morning. The car's driver remained hospitalized in serious condition at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, according to Camp Pendleton officials. Authorities have not released the lone survivor's name.

Arzola was a data network specialist with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 8, 2008. Arzola's personal service awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Callahan, also a data network specialist with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 26, 2008. Callahan's personal service awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO ISAF Afghanistan Medal.

Chleborad, too, was a data network specialist with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on Aug. 18, 2008. Chleborad's personal service awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the NATO ISAF Afghanistan Medal.

The Marines were in a Dodge Stratus that crashed at Golden Lantern Street just past Terra Vista. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to cut through the wreckage to get to the servicemen.

The Stratus was northbound on Golden Lantern at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the car, which hit a curb before slamming into a tree just past Terra Vista, Amormino said. Officials say alcohol may have played a role in the crash.