LAGUNA BEACH : Man Called Lucky in Surviving Car Crash

Police say a 20-year-old man is lucky to be alive after paramedics worked for 90 minutes to free him from a crushed car--the result of an early morning accident Thursday on Laguna Canyon Road.

Authorities said William Grammatica of Anaheim was in fair condition at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center after surgery to set a broken leg. Two other young men in Grammatica’s car, who were not identified by police, were treated and released at area hospitals for minor injuries.

Laguna Beach police said Grammatica would be charged with felony driving under the influence. Grammatica, a Cal State Fullerton student, lost control of his 1990 Ford Thunderbird on a curve and spun into a telephone pole at 4 a.m., police said.

The collision jarred several power lines, knocking out electricity to 547 households in the nearby Big Bend neighborhood, Southern California Edison spokesman Criss Brown said. Power was restored about 70 minutes later.

Police said the impact of the crash drove the driver’s door three feet into the car, trapping Grammatica.

“It’s miraculous that he didn’t sustain greater injuries,” Police Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser said. “This young man is real fortunate to be alive.”

Rahaeuser said that all three occupants of the car were wearing seat belts, “which is probably why that accident wasn’t a lot worse.”

Grammatica was going home after spending the evening at a friend’s house in Laguna Beach, according to Rahaeuser. Police said that Grammatica, heading east about a quarter-mile past the Sawdust Festival grounds, lost control of the car.

Rahaeuser said the crash site is a trouble spot for accidents. However, he said that “where the accident occurred is well-lit and conditions were dry and clear” at the time of the accident.

The impact was heard by residents living nearby, who called the 911 emergency number.

Sitting in the hospital waiting room Thursday, Grammatica’s mother said her son learned a $16,000 lesson.

“He saved for four years to buy that car; he was so proud of it,” Wendy Grammatica said, describing her son as an honor student. “But like his father says, things can be replaced. People can’t.”

She said her son was frightened while being pried out of the car.

“He said he was screaming” from pain and fright, she said, “quite a bit of both, I think.”

Wendy Grammatica said her son was upset about his car, “but mostly, he’s relieved that none of the other two boys were hurt.”