Woman Dies In 3-Car DUI Crash In Garden Grove

GARDEN GROVE, CA — A three car crash in Garden Grove claimed the life of a 59-year-old woman, Wednesday, police say. A 27-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was arrested after the fatal collision.

Police and paramedics responded to the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Euclid Street at 1:30 p.m. at the scene of the deadly crash. A white 2017 Honda rear-ended a second vehicle stopped, already stopped at a red light. This triggered a chain reaction causing the second vehicle to hit a third vehicle, according to Master Officer Paul Ashby of the Garden Grove Police Department.

The woman driving the second vehicle was unconscious and not breathing when paramedics found her. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, Ashby said.

It was not known how fast the driver of the Honda was going at the time of the crash. He suffered undisclosed injuries and was taken to a hospital in unknown condition.

Neither of the two people in the third vehicle were injured, Ashby said.

According to Ashby, preliminary investigation shows the Honda driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he slammed into the woman's car.

"Due to the severity of his injuries, he was released to the care of the hospital pending criminal charges," Ashby said.

The names of the suspect and victim were not disclosed.