Fatal 73 Freeway Wrong-Way Chain Reaction Crash: CHP

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — One woman was pronounced dead after a fatal wrong-way collision in Newport Beach, authorities say.

A silver Mercedes was seen driving at high speeds, erratically, on surface streets, California Highway Patrol Officer John DeMatteo told Patch. Reports say the driver reached upwards of 100 miles per hour.

"The driver entered the 73 northbound at the Birch street northbound offramp, and was driving southbound in northbound lanes," DeMatteo said.

Just before 9 a.m., the Mercedes struck a white BMW heading north on the 73 Freeway.

"A 65-year-old woman driving that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene," he said. A white Lexus was also struck, but no one inside the vehicle reported injury due to the crash.

The 22-year-old resident of Newport Beach, driving the Mercedes, suffered unknown injuries and was transported to Orange County Global Hospital, according to DeMatteo.

"No arrest has been made and whether or not the Mercedes driver was impaired will be part of the ongoing investigation," he told Patch.

The 73 Northbound was under a SIGALERT Hard closure, with the 2, 3, and 4 lanes closed. The duration of the closure was not known as of this report.

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