Irvine : 2 Die in Crash After Car Jumps Freeway Divider

Two people were killed when a careening Datsun struck their car almost head-on early Saturday on the Corona del Mar Freeway near MacArthur Boulevard, authorities said.

Louis Horowitz, 29, of Newport Beach, was southbound at 12:50 a.m. when he tried to exit at MacArthur Boulevard at “an excessive rate of speed,” according to California Highway Patrol Officer D.E. Ray.

Horowitz’s Datsun hit a curb and a traffic sign, then skidded across southbound lanes, through the center divider, and into an Audi traveling northbound in the fast lane.

Both the Audi driver, David P. Carmack, 24, of Newport Beach, and his passenger, Michiel Van Heyst, 29, of Holland, died at the scene.

The impact then sent the Audi careening into a third car, driven by Leo Maller, 59, of Mission Viejo. Maller was treated for moderate injuries at Costa Mesa Medical Center and later released, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Horowitz, who suffered major injuries, remained in critical condition late Saturday at Fountain Valley Regional Trauma Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

A CHP spokeswoman said an investigation is continuing.