Santa Ana Heights: Children Injured In Wrong-Way Crash

10.06.2024 | 12:02 AM | SANTA ANA HEIGHTS – A woman who drove wrong-way with two small children in her car caused a crash that injured five people and left her trapped in the wreckage, early Sunday morning.

Callers reported seeing a silver 2004 Toyota Camry enter the SB-73 Freeway by traveling wrong-way down the Campus Drive off ramp shortly after midnight.

Moments later the Toyota driven by a 32-year-old female and occupied by two small children collided head-on with a grey 2012 Lincoln MKZ on the freeway.

A woman who drove wrong-way with two small children in her car caused a crash that injured five people and left her trapped in the wreckage.Photo byMiles Madison for County News Service (CountyNews.TV)

The driver of the Toyota became trapped in the wreckage and had to be freed by firefighters using the Jaws of Life and other heavy rescue equipment. She was later rushed to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. Her condition was not immediately known.

Two children inside the Toyota were helped from the vehicle by bystanders and later rushed to nearby hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The first child, a male reportedly aged between 2-3 years-old sustained moderate injuries and was also transported to Mission Hospital for treatment. The second child, an 8-year-old male, sustained major injuries and was rushed to OC Global Medical Center for treatment.

Two occupants from the Lincoln, a 18-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, were also transported to OC Global Medical Center for treatment though their conditions were not immediately known.

Police suspect the driver of the Toyota was under the influence of drugs or alcohol however their investigation is ongoing.

All lanes of the southbound SR-73 Freeway were closed for several hours while first responders attending to the freeway crash.

Video and story by Miles Madison for County News Service