Man Struck and Killed on Freeway Is Among 5 Dead in Auto Accidents

Four traffic accidents claimed the lives of five people, including a San Diego man who was struck by a truck on the Santa Ana Freeway in Fullerton when he walked behind his parked car, authorities said Saturday.

Martin Salazar Morales, 21, of San Diego had parked on the center divider, apparently to inspect his car, about 9:40 a.m. Saturday when he was hit by a truck, said a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman. Morales had his emergency flashing lights on, but while standing behind his car, he turned his back on traffic and leaned into the fast lane, the spokeswoman said.

The driver of the truck, Jerome A. C. Kell, 28, of Ontario, told CHP officers he attempted to move into the next lane when he saw Morales, but struck him with the side of his truck.

The accident occurred in the southbound lanes of the Santa Ana Freeway, just north of Orangethorpe Avenue.

No citations were issued.

In Laguna Hills, passenger Eucario Mora Ayala, 58, of Santa Ana was killed and five people were injured when another vehicle made a turn and struck the car Mora was riding in, the CHP said.

Mora was in a car driven by Salomon Mora Ayala, 38, of Santa Ana, who was attempting to cross Pacific Park Drive from Bridlewood Drive about 9:45 a.m. Saturday. The CHP did not know how the two men were related.

As they turned, they were struck broadside by a vehicle driven by Greg A. Thomas, 30, of Laguna Hills. Mora was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP spokeswoman said.

Injured were Solomon Mora Ayala and Eucario Mora’s wife, Guadalupe Mora, 50, of Santa Ana. They were taken to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where both were in good condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Thomas, who sustained a broken leg and other injuries, was in serious condition at Mission, the spokeswoman said. Thomas’ two children, who were passengers in his vehicle, received minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

The accident is under investigation.

Meanwhile, three people died in two separate car accidents that occurred Friday night in San Clemente and Laguna Beach.

In San Clemente, Melinda Dahl, 31, and an unidentified 44-year-old man, both from San Clemente, died from injuries sustained in a crash after their 1990 Nissan ZX hit a center divider at high speed and rolled over, said Police Lt. Steve Bernardi.

The crash occured at 10:50 p.m. near the intersection of Avenida Pico and Avenida La Pata, Bernardi said.

In Laguna Beach, Janice F. Vettese, 58, of Laguna Beach was killed when her car veered out of control and crashed into a power pole on Laguna Canyon Road, said police Sgt. Mike Hall.

Vettese, according to witnesses, was driving west at about 45 m.p.h. when her car veered into the pole near a curve just north of the festival areas, Hall said.

Vettese was not wearing a seat belt, Hall said. Police closed the canyon road for about two hours during the investigation, Hall said.