Three People Hurt in Wrong-Way Collision on 73 Freeway in Newport Beach
A wrong-way driver caused a serious two-car collision on State Route 73 in Orange County Friday night, resulting in three individuals being hospitalized with significant injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Around 8:05 p.m., CHP began receiving reports of a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes near Greenfield Drive in Laguna Niguel. Witnesses noted that the vehicle was moving at approximately 45 mph. Shortly thereafter, additional calls indicated that the wrong-way driver was seen near El Toro Road, with some witnesses claiming speeds reached up to 100 mph.
The situation escalated quickly, and at approximately 8:16 p.m., the vehicle collided with another car just south of Bonita Canyon Drive in Newport Beach. First responders transported three individuals to nearby hospitals, where they received treatment for major injuries.
Investigators later revealed that the wrong-way vehicle is registered to a missing person from Cypress. As of Friday night, the CHP had not confirmed any arrests related to the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
