Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Fatal Traffic Collision at Katella Ave and Reagan St.


Press Release

December 30, 2014

Fatal Traffic Collision at Katella Ave and Reagan St

A 25-year-old female passenger suffered fatal injuries as a result of a two vehicle traffic collision near the intersection of Katella Ave and Reagan St.  The collision occurred shortly after midnight on December 30, 2014 after a silver late model Ford Mustang, being driven by a 28-year-old male, lost control of the car and swerved into the opposing traffic lanes.  Witnesses reported seeing the Mustang traveling west on Katella Ave at a high rate speed as it approached a roadway construction zone.  The driver of the Mustang lost control of the vehicle, striking the raised center median before swerving into the eastbound lanes of Katella Ave where it was struck by an oncoming passenger van.  The passenger van, driven by a solo occupant, broadsided the Mustang and overturned.  Construction workers who witnessed the accident immediately rendered aid to the vehicle’s occupants while first responders from the Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority were being dispatched to the accident scene.  Due to the impact of the collision, the female passenger was trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extracted by fire personnel.  Once removed from the vehicle, she was immediately transported to UCI Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries.  The driver of the Mustang sustained major injuries and was taken to Long Beach Memorial for emergency trauma treatment.  The driver of the passenger van was shaken by the collision but otherwise uninjured and released at the scene after providing a statement to police.  It is unknown if the occupants of the Mustang were impaired by any intoxicants.  No members of the construction crew were injured.  The collision is being investigated by the Los Alamitos Police Department and members of the regional Serious Traffic Accident Response Team, and anyone who may have witnessed the accident is encouraged to contact Traffic Sergeant Chris Karrer at (562) 431-2255, extension 473 with information.  The identities of the victims are being withheld until the next of kin are notified.

Submitted by:

Captain Bruce McAlpine
Los Alamitos Police Department
bmcalpine@cityoflosalamitos.org
(562) 431-225, extension 420