Suspected 18-year old female DUI Driver Crashes During Pursuit

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.  – On Friday, January 9, 2015 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies initiated a pursuit of a 2002 Ford Explorer in the area of Toledo Way and Serrano Road.  The driver of the vehicle was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  

According to Orange County Sheriff Department ( OCSD) Lt. Jeffrey Hallock, Deputies pursued the vehicle for approximately five minutes through the cities of Lake Forest, Irvine and Mission Viejo.  The pursuit ended on southbound Trabuco Road near Carlota Road, Mission Viejo, when the vehicle was unable to negotiate a curve in the road and collided with an embankment.

As a result of the collision, the 18 year-old female driver was ejected from the vehicle and suffered life-threatening injuries.  She was transported to a nearby hospital where she remains in serious condition.  A 20-year old male passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries and remains hospitalized; an 18 year-old female passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from an area hospital. 

Based on the subsequent investigation following the pursuit and collision, it was determined the vehicle was reported stolen on January 7, 2015.  In addition, an amount of illegal narcotics was also located at the scene.  Investigators are continuing to pursue additional information and collect evidence located inside the vehicle.  

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or (949) 425-1860.  

Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.