LAGUNA HILLS : Pursuit of Stolen Car Ends in Crash

The driver of a stolen car collided with another motorist at an intersection, ending a California Highway Patrol pursuit that began minutes before on Interstate 5, authorities said Wednesday.

The driver and four passengers of a stolen 1991 Honda Accord jumped out of the car after the collision at El Toro Road and Paseo de Valencia around 11 p.m. Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol reported. Two passengers of the stolen car were arrested after officers fanned out around the intersection.

The driver and two other passengers were at large Wednesday, the CHP said.

Susan Jeanne Cofano-Callie, 28, of Palm Springs was driving south on Paseo de Valencia when she was hit broadside by the stolen car in the intersection, CHP Officer Bruce Lian said.

Cofano-Callie was treated and released at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, according to a hospital spokesman.

The CHP said the pursuit began when officers tried to pull the stolen Honda over after seeing it speed about 70 m.p.h. in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near the Alicia Parkway exit.

With police in pursuit, the car left the freeway and headed west on El Toro Road. The driver of the stolen car went through a red light at the El Toro-Valencia intersection about 65 m.p.h. and collided with Cofano-Callie, the officers reported.

The CHP officers, aided by other Highway Patrol units, cordoned off the intersection and began a search for the driver and passengers who ran from the Honda, reported stolen in Los Angeles County, Lian said.

CHP investigators have not established the identity of the three other suspects, Lian said.

Susan Jones, 20, and Jason Rudder, 18, both of Dana Point, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest, the CHP said.

Jones was being held without bail at Orange County Jail in Santa Ana. Rudder was released on his own recognizance, jail officials said.