1 hurt in fiery freeway crash

Authorities continue to investigate a dramatic crash on the 73 and 405 freeway interchange that flipped one car over the median into oncoming traffic and left another’s engine on fire, California Highway Patrol officials said Tuesday.

At about 9 p.m. Monday, a black 2007 Dodge Charger was speeding onto the southbound 73 freeway from the 405 when it rear-ended an older-model Toyota Tacoma, CHP Officer Jennifer Hink said. The Toyota lost control and rolled. It tumbled over the median and slid across northbound lanes all the way to the Fairview Road exit lane, Hink said.

“That shows how fast this was,” she said.

Amazingly, the Tacoma was not hit by oncoming cars, Costa Mesa Battalion Chief Kevin Diamond said. Debris from the crash damaged a Toyota Corolla headed north on the freeway, officers said.

The Tacoma’s driver, Jeffrey Carpio, 38, of Huntington Beach, was taken to UCI Medical Center’s trauma center with moderate injuries, Diamond said. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The Dodge Charger’s engine caught fire, firefighters said. Costa Mesa firefighters quickly put out the flames before the car was engulfed, Diamond said. The driver, Colin James, 27, of Newport Beach, escaped injury. Both Costa Mesa and Newport Beach firefighters responded to the accident, and Costa Mesa firefighters handled the scene. They provided lighting for the northbound side’s cleanup for more than two hours, Diamond said.

Hink said lanes were closed for at least 90 minutes following the crash.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].