A Tustin woman involved in a minor collision in the northbound lanes of the San Diego (405) Freeway in Costa Mesa was killed Wednesday when another vehicle struck her after she got out of her car, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Aldagracia Cruz-Penaloza, 42, stopped in the fast lane about 4:45 a.m. after getting into a collision with her 2017 Toyota north of Fairview Road, the CHP reported. The other driver, meanwhile, pulled over to the right shoulder.
Cruz-Penaloza and her passenger, Flor Solano, 18, of Tustin, were standing to the rear of the Toyota when a 2015 Audi plowed into the victim and her car at 4:49 a.m., the CHP reported. The collision propelled the Toyota into the number three lane, where it was struck by a 2000 Chevrolet driven by Sherrele McCollom, 33, of San Juan Capistrano, according to the CHP.
McCollom and Solano were taken to an area hospital for treatment of what were described as minor injuries.
David Akira Tam Jr., 43, of Carlsbad, who was behind the wheel of the Audi, was unhurt, according to the CHP.
Four northbound lanes of the freeway were closed until about 9:45 a.m. for the crash investigation and clean-up.
Anyone who has any information about the collisions was asked to call CHP investigators at (714) 567-6000.