Local News in Brief : Anaheim : Costa Mesa Woman Killed in Car Crash

A 23-year-old Costa Mesa woman was killed Wednesday when the Lincoln Continental in which she was riding smashed into a palm tree and utility pole in Anaheim, police said.

The accident occurred about 2:20 a.m. as Anthony Ruben Alcantar, the driver, and five passengers were traveling northbound on South Beach Boulevard. For unknown reasons the vehicle veered off the road near Orange Avenue and slammed into the tree and pole, Anaheim Police Lt. William Wright said.

Patricia Noel Griswald of Costa Mesa was pronounced dead at the scene. Injured in the accident were Melinda Gay Shaffer, 20, and Tawny Shaffer, 5, of Buena Park. Both were admitted to UCI Medical Center in Orange for treatment of minor injuries.

Two other children, ages 4 and 1, were taken to Humana Hospital--West Anaheim, where they were examined and released.

Alcantar, 24, of Whittier was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and manslaughter. He was booked into the Anaheim Temporary Detention Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail, Wright said.