Mission Viejo

Woman killed in wrong-way New Year's Day crash with DUI suspect in Mission Viejo

A 26-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter following a New Year's Day crash that killed a 66-year-old woman.

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A 66-year-old San Juan Capistrano woman was killed in a crash with a wrong-way driver who was arrested on suspicion of DUI early Wednesday morning in Mission Viejo.

The New Year's Day crash was reported at about 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Marguerite Parkway and Pueblonuevo Drive in the Orange County community.

A Chevy Malibu was going the wrong way in southbound lanes of Marguerite Parkway and collided head-on with a Toyota Camry, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The Camry driver died at a hospital.

"Unfortunately, when people make the decision to drink and drive, those decisions could have devastating effects across many families and the community as a whole," said Sgt. Matthew Timmins. "So you've got one family who lost a loved one, and then another family who now a 26-year-old is probably going to go to jail."

A 26-year-old woman behind the wheel of the Malibu was arrested on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. She also was transported to a hospital, where she was treated for injuries, released and booked into Orange County jail.

Anyone with information about the accident was asked to contact the sheriff's Traffic Bureau at 949-425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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