Street takeovers in both Costa Mesa and Anaheim early Thursday morning have resulted in one person dead and two others being taken into police custody.
Patch.com reports that the incident happened in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 22.
According to a statement released by the Costa Mesa Police Department, the incident happened at approximately 2:30 a.m. at the intersection of Sunflower Avenue and Highland Avenue.
Police say that a black pickup truck involved in the takeover flipped onto its side, killing one passenger inside the vehicle and entrapping a second passenger.
Officials declined to release any further information about the identities of the accident victims at the time of the report.
The driver of the pickup truck has been identified as 22-year-old Mynor Esquivel of Los Angeles. Esqauavel was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular homicide.
The City of Costa Mesa reports that street takeovers and street racing incidents have been on the rise in recent months. A news photographer who was an eyewitness of Thursday’s incident told police that several vehicles took over the intersection and were performing stunts when the fatal accident happened.
Officials say that before the fatal Costa Mesa crash, there had been a street takeover in Anaheim near the 400 block of North Euclid. Officials reported that the takeover involved between 80 to 100 vehicles.
One person was injured in the first incident. Police say that she was struck by one of the vehicles participating in the takeover before the car flipped onto its roof.
The woman was taken to an area hospital for treatment of the injuries she suffered in the crash. She is reported to be in stable condition. Her identity was not released.
A female driver who struck the victim was placed under arrest. Police in Anaheim suspect alcohol consumption was involved after finding an open beer bottle near the intersection.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form