A 32-year-old woman was under arrest Friday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter in a three-vehicle crash in Orange that killed one driver and injured the suspect and another motorist.
Stephanie DeRosas of Orange was in a hospital being treated for her injuries Friday, Orange Police Sgt. Phil McMullin said. Investigators suspect DeRosas was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision, he added.
The crash took place about 8:45 p.m. Thursday at Chapman Avenue and Yorba Street, according to McMullin.
According to police, a gray sedan was heading west on Chapman Avenue. As it approached Yorba Street it was rear-ended by a black sedan. The gray car was pushed through the intersection and caught fire, McMullin said.
Orange firefighters put out the blaze and paramedics pronounced the driver of the gray car dead at the scene. There was no information regarding the gender or age of the dead driver. That person’s name was withheld pending notification of family.
DeRosas, who was driving the black vehicle that rear-ended the dead driver’s car, suffered serious injuries, McMullin said.
A third vehicle was stopped at the red light and ended up being side- swiped in the crash, according to McMullin. That driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment but was later released, the sergeant said.
The collision was being investigated by the Orange Police Major Accident Investigation Team. Anyone with information on this deadly crash was asked to call police at (714) 744-7444.
—City News Service