Tow Truck Collides with SUV Blocking Lanes on the 55 Freeway

February 15, 2012 - According to reports a tow truck and an SUV collided causing lanes of the 55 Freeway to be blocked.

According to the California Highway Patrol the collision occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m. on the 55 Freeway in the vicinity north of 17th Street. The California Highway Patrol Officers on the scene said the collision involved a tow truck and a Jeep Cherokee.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee reportedly lost control of the vehicle, getting onto the 55 Freeway. This caused the Cherokee to spin out in front of a flatbed tow truck that was transporting a Toyota pickup truck, California Highway Patrol Officers on the scene said.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority the driver’s door of the Jeep Cherokee had to be cut off of the vehicle to remove the driver. They said there were no passengers in the vehicle.

It has not been reported if there were any injuries in the collision.The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the Nos. 1, 2 and carpool lanes on the 55 Freeway at 1:30 p.m. and the lanes have since been cleared and reopened.

Woman Critically Injured After Being Struck Near Bus Bench in a Stolen SUV Hit and Run

February 8, 2012 - According to reports a woman is in critical condition after being struck near a bus bench by a stolen SUV hit and run. According to Westminster Police Department Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze the hit and run was reported at approximately 7:30 p.m. occurring near Beach Boulevard and Bolsa Avenue in Westminster.

Sgt. Knauerhaze said a woman identified as Charita Zamora of Westminster was critically injured in a hit and run accident that occurred when a stolen Lexus SUV struck a pole. Zamora was found lying next to a bus bench. According to Westminster Police Department witnesses stated that four men got out of the vehicle after striking the woman and the pole and ran from the scene of the crash. Police detained two of the men after seeing two of them running as they approached the crash. The men have been released currently, while the stolen vehicle and hit and run is investigated.

Sgt. Knauerhaze said, Zamora was transported to UCI Medical Center in Orange where she is listed in stable, but critical condition. She is being treated for a broken arm, multiple cuts and other injuries.

The driver of the stolen Lexus lost control of the vehicle and police believe they were traveling westbound at the time and were avoiding stopped traffic and coupled with weather conditions lost control of the SUV.

Westminster Police said the Lexus SUV was stolen on Sunday from a home that was burglarized. Police are still looking for the two men involved that have not been caught.