Fatal crash claims one

Jose Paul Corona

An 83-year-old Huntington Beach resident was killed in a traffic

accident Tuesday morning at the intersection of Edwards Street and

Ellis Avenue.

Arden Hansen was killed when the 1991 Ford Taurus driven by his

wife, Lyda, 80, was hit by a van as it tried to make a left turn on

Ellis Avenue at about 9:40 a.m.

Arden Hansen suffered severe blunt force head trauma during the

accident and was pronounced dead at the scene, said Huntington Beach

Police Department Sgt. Gary Meza. Lyda Hansen suffered severe

internal injuries and was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange.

She sustained moderate head injuries, multiple rib fractures, a

punctured lung, a lacerated liver along with pelvic and hand

fractures and is currently listed in critical condition, said

hospital spokesperson Kim Pine.

Huntington Beach resident Henry Larrucea, who was driving the van

that struck the Hansen’s car, received minor injuries during the

accident, Meza said.

Larrucea was released at the scene and sought medical treatment on

his own, Meza said.

Police do not believe that Tuesday’s rain played a part in the

accident. Drugs or alcohol are also not thought to be the cause of

the crash and no one was cited after the incident, Meza said.

Huntington Beach Police Department Traffic Investigators are

trying to determine the cause of the crash and they are asking anyone

who may have witnessed the accident to call the police department’s

traffic bureau at (714) 536-5661.