Rancho Santa Margarita Man Perishes in Drunk Driving Accident

A drunken motorist, driving unlicensed and with a history of speeding violations, suffered critical injuries and his passenger was killed today in a speed-related crash in Santa Ana.

"The needle of the BMW's speedometer was stuck at 82 miles per hour after the impact," said Santa Ana police Sgt. Don Humphrey. The name of the driver, a man in his mid-20s, was not immediately released.

His passenger was later identified as Bryan Meza, 21, of Rancho Santa Margarita by the Coroner's Office. Meza was pronounced dead at the scene.

Paramedics rushed the driver from the reported 2:06 a.m. crash on a concrete freeway barrier on the onramp to the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at Western Avenue in Santa Ana. He was taken to Western Medical Center, Humphrey said.

The black 2001 BMW 325i had been seen speeding above 80 mph and running some red lights eastbound on First Street, It his a concrete barrier at the freeway onramp, the police sergeant said.

The impact caused the major damage to the front of the car and "significant amount of damage to the barrier," he said. '

"The driver was found to be unlicensed and issued a California Index number with a history of speeding violations," Humphrey said. "The investigation is still ongoing and charges against the driver are pending."

--City News Service