Freeway Crash Injures Six, Impact I-5

Nine people, including a father and his two children, were injured today when a big-rig crashed through a freeway median and collided with multiple vehicles in Dana Point.

The truck was headed north on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway when the driver lost control and the truck crashed through the median near Camino de Estrella and into the southbound lanes, where it came to a rest about 12:15 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Denise Quesada said.

All but one southbound lane was closed to accommodate emergency crews. Then all lanes were closed about 1:15 p.m. to land a helicopter, which ferried one patient to UCI Medical Center in Orange, said Lynnette Round of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Nine patients -- including a 1-year-old, 3-year-old and their father -- sustained minor to moderate injuries, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi. The father and his two children were taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, Concialdi said.

Three patients were taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, one to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente, and one to UCI, according to Concialdi.

The crash scene spread out over 300 feet, Concialdi said.

The collision involved at least six vehicles, Quesada said.

Quesada urged motorists to seek alternate routes until the roadway could be cleared.

Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions.

-- City News Service