The Region - News from Dec. 27, 1985

A pitchfork may have been the cause of a seven-car pileup on the Santa Ana Freeway that snarled traffic near San Juan Capistrano for several hours and sent 11 people to area hospitals. The California Highway Patrol said it received reports that a pitchfork had dropped onto freeway lanes just before the accident occurred. However, officers found no trace of the mysterious pitchfork when they arrived at the accident scene just south of Avery Parkway. “Because the first car fled the scene, we can’t substantiate if something was there (on freeway lanes),” a CHP spokeswoman said. The CHP said 11 people were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries. All were treated and released. The accident blocked three freeway lanes for about 45 minutes and snarled traffic in the area for two hours.