Fatal 4-Car Crash Stalls Costa Mesa Freeway

COSTA MESA, CA — A fatal collision stalled traffic for hours Wednesday morning on the northbound 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa in what became a commuter nightmare. Lanes reopened by 7 a.m. but residual traffic remained at a crawl through the area.

The multi-vehicle crash occurred about 4:45 a.m. near the Harbor Boulevard exit, officials say. Arriving responders discovered one completely dark vehicle in the No. 1 lane, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A SigAlert was issued closing all northbound lanes. Three lanes were reopened about an hour afterward, the CHP reported.

The crash involved at least four vehicles, however, multiple other chain-reaction crashes and fender benders occurred in the area.

The 405 freeway was backed up well past South Coast Plaza, and traffic was backed up for miles in both directions as of 7 a.m.

The cause of the accident was under investigation.