Crime & Safety

Update: Driver, 18, Arrested in Fatal Ortega Hwy. Crash

The crash occurred near mile marker 6, near near Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in the San Juan Capistrano area.

A female passenger in a pickup truck was killed today and the 18-year-old male driver arrested after their vehicle crashed into a tree on Ortega Highway, near , authorities said.

The driver, Francisco Jesus Ochoa, of Lake Elsinore, suffered major injuries and was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter at Mission Hospital, said California Highway Patrol officer Chris Goodwin. 

The name of the 45-year-old victim, also of Lake Elsinore, is pending notification of kin.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Ford F150 pickup truck was bent into a semi U-shape, the driver's side twisted toward the passenger side, after it hit the tree. A gaping hole about the size of a basketball was torn into the tree.

The accident was first reported to the California Highway Patrol shortly after 6:45 a.m. Friday near mile marker 6. Officials say the driver was westbound on Ortega Highway when he drifted into the right shoulder and off the road, into the tree.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officials said it was fortunate that no one else was hurt in the accident.

"Usually at that time of morning there are commuters," said CHP spokesman Chris Goodwin. "It is fortunate no other vehicles where involved."

  The CHP was allowing traffic through the area on an alternating basis, Officer Gabe Montoya said. Traffic in the area was delayed at least 20 minutes.

The circumstances of the crash are under investigation.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.