Newport Beach, CA (September 16, 2024) An SUV was driving the wrong way on the 73 Freeway in Newport Beach on Sunday night and caused a head-on collision. It happened at approximately 9:26 p.m., near Macarthur Boulevard. The collision claimed one person’s life and left another with serious injuries, reports indicated.
It was Sunday night in Newport Beach as vehicles drove along the 73 Freeway. Suddenly, a Range Rover SUV started driving north in the southbound lanes at a high rate of speed, according to witnesses. The vehicle slammed into an electric BMW sedan, sending debris all over the southbound lanes of the freeway. One of the vehicles “exploded,” according to witnesses, and became engulfed in flames. 911 calls began pouring in and the California Highway Patrol arrived at the scene within minutes.
Upon arrival, they found the two vehicles in the middle of the southbound lanes with major damage. They rushed to the vehicles, ready to give life-saving treatment. Unfortunately, they discovered that the driver of the Range Rover SUV had been killed in the collision. They were, sadly, pronounced dead at the scene and officers requested a coroner from the Orange County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the BMW was found with serious injuries. They were taken to a nearby hospital to receive treatment, according to reports.
Officers had to close a portion of the southbound 73 Freeway as they investigated the accident and crews cleaned up the scene. Reports indicated that the roadway wasn’t reopened until after 2:00 a.m. Investigators are working to determine what caused this wrong-way collision in Newport Beach.
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