Will Ferrell Injured In Mission Viejo Crash

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Actor and comedian Will Ferrell was hospitalized after he was injured in a serious car crash in on northbound I-5 Freeway in Mission Viejo late Thursday night.

Ferrell, 50, who was being driven from an event in San Diego, was injured when the Lincoln Navigator limousine he was riding in was rear ended by a 2007 Toyota SUV, California Highway Patrol Officer Rafael Reynoso told Patch. Ferrell was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, along with three other passengers, one who was severely injured in the crash.

"The driver of the Toyota was in the fast lane when for unknown reasons he veered into the Navigator, colliding into the rear of the vehicle," Reynoso said.

The force of the impact caused the Navigator to hit the concrete center divider when it overturned. During the crash, Ferrell, along with the driver and other passengers, suffered only minor injuries due to the fact they were wearing seat belts, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi.

"The young woman was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the collision," Concialdi said.

Carolina Barrow, 27, of Los Angeles, suffered the most serious injuries, according to CHP Officer Rafael Reynoso. He said Barrow was treated at Mission Hospital for moderate to major injuries that were not considered life-threatening. She was listed in fair condition late Friday according to a hospital spokesperson.

"It could have ended up a lot worse," Reynoso said. "She got tossed around the vehicle during the incident. Luckily, no one was seriously, seriously injured as a result of this incident."

According to Concialdi, seat belts definitely played a part in reducing injury during this crash," Concialdi said. "Seat belts prevent serious injuries and they save lives."

The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig-alert, closing Northbound 5 Freeway for about an hour during the victim recovery and investigation. Alcohol and drugs were not considered a factor in this crash, Reynoso said. California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

"There was no need for firefighters to use the jaws of life to extricate the victims," OCFA Capt.Steve Concialdi said. "Our firefighters helped all of the injured parties out of the vehicle, without the aid of heavy equipment."

The driver of the Toyota was not injured, Concialdi said.

At the time of emergency responders' arrival and afterward at Mission Hospital, "(Mr. Ferrell) appeared genuinely concerned for the female passenger's well being, as well as for the other passengers in the car with him," Concialdi said.

According to CBS9, Ferrell had appeared as "Ron Burgundy" at a "Funny or Die" San Diego area event earlier that evening.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images