Collision in Santa Ana intersection kills a car passenger

SANTA ANA — Two cars collided in a Santa Ana intersection on Saturday, killing a passenger, authorities said.

The crash, which killed a man in a front passenger seat of one of the cars, was reported at 10:50 a.m. in the intersection of Newhope Street and Westminster Boulevard, Santa Ana police said.

Statements and video surveillance indicated the driver of a purple 2013 Hyundai Sonata was southbound on Newhope Street in the left lane when his car was struck in the rear by a black 2014 Toyota Camry that was making a left turn, police said. The Hyundai driver lost control of the car and crashed into a large street light at the southwest corner.

The Hyundai sustained major damage on the passenger side and the man in the front passenger seat was pronounced dead at the scene from major upper body injuries, police said.

The man driving the car suffered bruises to his face and jaw and was taken by Orange County Fire Authority paramedics to a hospital for treatment.

Two women in the back seat suffered major internal injuries and were taken to hospitals, where one was listed in critical condition, police said.

The man driving the Toyota reported no injuries and remained at the scene. The left front of his car was moderately damaged, police said.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appeared to be factors in the crash, police said.