Santa Ana, CA — A violent wrong-way crash in Orange County claimed the lives of two people and injured four others Monday evening, after a high-speed driver plowed into multiple vehicles in Santa Ana, authorities confirmed.
Dashcam Video Captures Terrifying Moments
The crash occurred around 6:35 p.m. near Main Street and Warner Avenue, where officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls about a vehicle traveling at an extremely high rate of speed.
According to Public Information Officer Natalie Garcia, preliminary surveillance and dashcam footage show a BMW speeding northbound on Main Street, crossing into southbound lanes and driving the wrong way before losing control.
“It’s very preliminary at this point. We know that – based on video surveillance that’s circulating – a vehicle was travelling at a really high rate of speed northbound on Main when it lost control, went into the southbound lanes of traffic, driving on the wrong side of the road,” Garcia said.
Four Vehicles Involved, Two Victims Declared Dead
When emergency responders arrived, they found four vehicles had been involved in the collision. At least one vehicle was so badly damaged that its occupants had to be extricated by firefighters.
- Four people were transported to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries
- Two victims, each in separate vehicles, were pronounced dead at the scene
Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspected wrong-way driver was among those killed.
Aftermath Shows Devastation
Photos and video of the scene show extensive damage, including:
- A completely crushed vehicle with its front end “smashed beyond recognition”
- Two others, including a Honda and a Toyota SUV, with severe structural damage
Firefighters worked quickly to access those trapped inside, while police shut down traffic in the area to conduct a full investigation.
Investigation Still Ongoing
As of now, authorities say it’s too early to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. The investigation by the Santa Ana Police Department remains ongoing.
Officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision or captured footage to come forward and assist with the case.
How do you think cities can better prevent deadly wrong-way crashes like this? Share your thoughts in the comments below at the BethelAdvocate.
