5 Injured in 4-Car Pileup on I-5 in Anaheim

Five people were injured in a four-car collision that temporarily closed two northbound lanes of the Santa Ana Freeway in Anaheim on Tuesday, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

Brenda Eggebrecht, 24, of Anaheim rear-ended the car in front of her and started a chain reaction with the other two cars, CHP Officer Paul Caldwell said.

Before the collision, two cars in front of Eggebrecht had slowed suddenly to avoid hitting another car that had stopped because of traffic, Caldwell said.

“They were almost stopped as she came up behind them about 55 m.p.h. and could not stop in time. All cars suffered extensive damage,” he said.

Eggebrecht was not cited, Caldwell said.

Slow Lane Kept Open

Police closed the middle and fast lanes of the freeway, Interstate 5, for about 45 minutes, allowing traffic to pass in the slow lane while the wreckage was removed and the injured taken to nearby hospitals, Caldwell said.

James Ramer, 34, of Colton, whose car was struck by Eggebrecht’s, suffered moderate injuries, as did Ben Garlinger, 52, of Topeka, Kan., who was in front of Ramer. Garlinger’s passengers, Ruth Casey, 71, and Winifred Kundeston, 67, both of Anaheim, also had moderate injuries. The four were treated at local hospitals and released.

Eggebrecht was taken to Martin Luther Hospital for moderate injuries. He was treated and released.

Fire and emergency rescue vehicles went to the scene because of a report that a bus had been involved in the crash. But Caldwell said a Trailways bus driver had only stopped to help.