Inglewood man dies in crash on rain-soaked 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa

A man died early Tuesday, March 10, after his sports car struck an SUV that had just crashed into a center divide along a rain-soaked portion of the 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa.

The collision was reported at about 12:45 a.m., California Highway Patrol logs show. A 2005 BMW X5 that hit the median was partially blocking the southbound HOV lane, CHP Officer John DeMatteo said. Then, a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro lost control while approaching the disabled vehicle, and the high-performance coupe struck the rear of the SUV with its passenger side.

The 20-year-old Inglewood man behind the wheel of the Chevrolet died as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash, DeMatteo said. His name was not immediately released. The 24-year-old Mission Viejo resident who had been driving the BMW was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center with what were described as minor injuries.

Forecasts had predicted rain throughout Southern California for Monday evening, and the roadway was wet at the time of the collision, DeMatteo said. Drugs or alcohol did not appear to have been factors in the crash, and no arrests were made in connection with it as of Tuesday afternoon.