1 Killed, 6 Hurt in Newport Collision
A Santa Ana man, who allegedly was driving with a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit, was killed and six people were injured when he rammed into an SUV at a Newport Beach intersection, officials said Monday.
Francisco Padilla, 77, a father of 14, was driving alone in his Dodge Durango with a blood-alcohol level of 0.20% when the collision occurred about 9 p.m. Sunday, police said.
Padilla was headed east on Pacific Coast Highway near Avocado Avenue, police said. He rear-ended a Volvo SUV, which was coming up to a red light, police said.
“It does not appear that he made any effort to brake,” said Sgt. Bill Hartford, spokesman for Newport Beach police.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash, Hartford said.
Padilla died at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana about 11 p.m. Sunday, police said.
The Volvo driver, Gregory Ford, 52, of Santa Fe Springs, and his five passengers, who were family members, suffered minor injuries. They were treated at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach before being released, police said.
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