A two-vehicle crash in Los Alamitos Tuesday left a woman dead and a man hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
The accident in the 3600 block of Katella Avenue occurred about 12:25 a.m., Los Alamitos police Sgt. Chris Karrer said.
The 25-year-old woman was a passenger in a late model Ford Mustang that was hit broadside by a van, said Los Alamitos police Capt. Bruce McAlpine. She died at UCI Medical Center. Her name was withheld, pending notification of her relatives.
The 28-year-old man who was driving the Mustang was taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in critical condition, McAlpine said. His name was not released. The driver of the van was uninjured.
“Witnesses reported seeing the Mustang traveling west on Katella Avenue at a high rate of speed as it approached a roadway construction zone,” McAlpine said.
“The driver of the Mustang lost control of the vehicle, striking the raised center median before swerving into the eastbound lanes of Katella Avenue, where it was struck by an oncoming passenger van,” McAlpine said.
Construction workers who witnessed the accident tried to help the victims, McAlpine said. None of the workers was injured. Firefighters had to free the woman from the Mustang.
“It is unknown if the occupants of the Mustang were impaired by any intoxicants,” McAlpine said.
Anyone with more information on the case was urged to call Sgt. Chris Karrer, (562) 431-2255, ext. 473.
—Staff and wire reports