Driver killed, passenger injured when car crashes after high-speed chase in Newport Beach

A 29-year-old man was killed and a woman was injured when the high-performance car they were in crashed at high speed at the end of a police pursuit early Tuesday in Newport Beach, authorities said.

The crash occurred near 23rd Street and Balboa Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A man and a woman got into the 2016 Mercedes-AMG just after 1 a.m. after some type of altercation at a local bar, CHP Officer Florentino Olivera said.

A tow truck driver begins to clear the wreckage of the Mercedes-AMG on Tuesday morning.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

The car sped away and was briefly pursued south on Balboa Boulevard by Newport Beach police. The officers lost the vehicle as it reached speeds of about 100 mph, Olivera said.

The driver turned around at the end of the Balboa Peninsula and headed north on Balboa Boulevard, where police resumed the pursuit, Olivera said.

A short time later, the driver lost control of the Mercedes and crashed into a tree.

“He was unable to take the turn. Hit the palm tree … impact was very, very hard,” Olivera said.

The car was split in half and its engine landed about 100 feet north of the crash site, hitting a parked SUV. One of the tires was found about 300 feet away, Olivera said.

Part of the Mercedes’ engine lies on the road after being thrown about 100 feet north of the crash site and hitting a parked vehicle.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not disclosed.

The female passenger was taken to OC Global Medical Center in Santa Ana to be treated for a concussion and fractured ankle, Olivera said.

“She’s lucky,” he said.

The CHP closed several streets in the area to investigate the crash, including Balboa Boulevard between 22nd and 24th streets, 23rd Street just west of Oceanfront, Oceanfront between 21st and 23rd streets and 22nd and 24th streets in both directions.

Lt. Tom Fischbacher of the Newport Beach Police Department referred questions about the crash to the CHP, which he said is handling the investigation because it involved an unsuccessful attempt by police officers to stop the car.

Daily Pilot staff writer Hillary Davis contributed to this report.

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