NOW Activist Killed in Head-On Collision
A Laguna Beach activist who fought for abortion rights, the homeless and farm workers died of injuries suffered in a head-on collision on Alton Parkway that left an Irvine man in critical condition.
Irvine police said Katherine Coe, 68, was driving her Honda eastbound in a westbound lane about halfway between Jeffrey Road and Sand Canyon Avenue about 9 p.m. Wednesday. Her car collided with a Toyota driven by Junichi Kamimura, 36, of Irvine.
Family friend Barbara Jackson said Coe was on en route to her home from a chapter meeting of the National Organization for Women when the accident occurred.
For many years, Jackson said, Coe had worked at abortion clinics, escorting women past protesters. She also served on the state NOW board, counseled homeless women at the YWCA in Santa Ana and performed volunteer services for the Episcopal Service Alliance in Laguna Beach, Jackson added.
Coe, who suffered a broken neck, two broken legs and two fractured arms along with internal injuries, died Thursday evening at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.
Kamimura suffered internal injuries and broken ribs and was in critical condition at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.
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