Coast Highway crash victim identified

The Orange County coroner’s office has identified a man killed in a two-car collision on East Coast Highway.

Steve Needis, 58, of Costa Mesa, was killed in the crash that led to the closing of the highway Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The crash occurred near East Coast Highway and Promontory Point Drive at 6:54 a.m., said Jennifer Manzella, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department.

The collision involved a black Nissan Maxima and a green Nissan Quest, she said. Needis was driving the Maxima, which struck a pole during the accident.

The Jaws of Life were used to extract him from the vehicle, and he was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he later died.

The driver of the Quest was assessed and released at the scene with no injuries, authorities said.

The circumstances of the collision are under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the collision is encouraged to contact Investigator Scott Grecco at (949) 644-3747.

— Hannah Fry

@HannahFryTCN