Woman Critical After Car Crashes Into Wall

A Yorba Linda woman was in critical condition with severe injuries to her legs after her car went off the road and crashed between a tree and concrete-block wall Saturday, authorities said.

Two of four children in the car with her also were hospitalized with less serious injuries, the California Highway Patrol said.

Jean Byrd, 48, was flown by helicopter to UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange. A hospital spokeswoman said Byrd also suffered arm fractures and was being evaluated for internal injuries.

CHP dispatcher Janelle Clem said Byrd was driving westbound on Orangethorpe Avenue, west of Kellogg Drive, about 1:10 p.m. when her Toyota Cressida veered to the right for an unknown reason. The car jumped the curb and crashed near the intersection of Boisseranc Street, Clem said. The site of the accident is in a small area of unincorporated property surrounded by Anaheim.

Byrd was trapped in the car for about 30 minutes before Orange County Fire paramedics could free her, Clem said.

The CHP did not disclose the identities of the four children. Clem said a 13-year-old with moderate injuries was taken to Western Medical Center in Anaheim, and a 12-year-old with moderate injuries was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. A 5-year-old and a 3-year-old sustained minor injuries, she said.