5 Dead In Newport Beach Accident After Car Slams Into Tree
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Five people are dead in a Newport Beach car crash, according to authorities.
The crash occurred at Jamboree and Island Lagoon Drive just after 5 p.m.
Juan Fernandez, reporting for KCAL9, said the car split in two after hitting the tree. Investigators told him they thought originally they were dealing with two different cars.
The impact of the crash was so violent, Fernandez, the debris field stretched for almost a quarter mile.
Officials arrived on the scene to find half of the car -- an Infiniti -- engulfed in flames and several of the passengers ejected.
Rescue crews were divided between extinguishing the flames and performing triage on all the patients.
Four people were confirmed deceased on scene by Newport Beach Fire personnel
One additional patient was transported to a local trauma center. That person was declared dead after arriving.
Investigators said speed may have been a factor in the crash but they are not sure.
Jamboree Road remains closed in both directions (between Santa Barbara and Island Lagoon) as the investigation into the crash continues.
