2 Dead After Wrong-Way Driver Plows 3 Vehicles In Orange County Monday

WESTMINSTER, CA — Two people were killed in a wrong-way crash involving five vehicles in Westminster Monday.

Westminster police officers were dispatched to the crash at 12:51 p.m. in the 14500 block of Beach Boulevard, near Hazard Avenue. Witnesses told police a minivan was speeding northbound in the southbound lanes of Beach Boulevard when it plowed into three other vehicles.

The driver of the minivan was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. A passenger was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. Their identities were not released.

The Westminster Police Department issued a traffic advisory at around 1:30 p.m. Monday, after the crash prompted authorities to close all north and southbound lanes of Beach Boulevard and Bolsa Avenue.

The driver of another vehicle involved in the crash was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center with a leg injury, police said.

One of the victims was an 80- to 85-year-old man from Westminster and the other victim was a 70- to 75-year-old woman from Westminster, police said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Westminster Police Department.

City News Service contributed to this report.