El Toro : 4 Hurt, 2 Critically, in Head-On Auto Crash

Two people were critically injured and two others suffered minor to moderate injuries when a car careened out of control over a center divider and crashed head-on into another car, the California Highway Patrol said Thursday.

Jorge Palmero, 27, of Mission Viejo lost control of his car as he drove east on El Toro Road, west of Santa Margarita Parkway (previously named Portola Parkway) about 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, according to authorities.

CHP public information officer Ken Daily said Palmero’s car hit the raised center divider and entered the westbound lanes where it slammed, head-on, into a car driven by Theresa Tracy, 23, of Huntington Beach. Palmero’s car then spun around and hit another car, driven by Hiddo Horlings, 28, of El Toro, according to the accident report by Officer Cliff Babb.

A witness who was also eastbound on El Toro Road, traveling about 45 m.p.h., told the CHP that he was passed by Palmero just before the accident and estimated his speed at 90 to 95 m.p.h., Daily said.

Palmero and Tracy were airlifted to Mission Community Hospital in Mission Viejo, where both remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit Thursday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Daily said Tracy suffered head and internal injuries and multiple fractures. Palmero sustained fractures to his lower back, sternum and lower leg, he said.

Horlings, an off-duty Orange County fireman, and a passenger in Palmero’s car, Gisela Palmero, 25, of Mission Viejo, were treated and released at Saddleback Community Hospital in Laguna Hills. Horlings suffered a bump on his head and other minor injuries, and Gisela Palmero sustained neck and shoulder injuries and abrasions, Daily said.

The accident is under investigation to determine whether charges or citations will be filed, Daily said.