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4 dead in Santa Ana collision involving suspected DUI driver

by in News

Four people are dead after a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Fourth Street and Tustin Avenue in Santa Ana at about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, police said.

The 28-year-old driver of a jeep was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

The man, whose name has not been released, was driving west on Fourth Street at a high rate of speed when heran a red light and collided with a white pickup truck heading south on Tustin Avenue, Bertagna said. Both vehicles flipped over.

The four were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators on Sunday morning were using heavy equipment to  search for any additional victims in the wreckage. “We won’t know more until we’re inside,” Bertagna said.

The jeep driver is in police custody at a hospital, Bertagna said, adding, “He was uncooperative. He wanted to be released.”

A nurse and an off-duty firefighter who were near the collision had tried to help; the firefighter put out a blaze caused by the crash, Bertagna said.

Tustin Avenue and Fourth Street are closed in all directions until at least noon while the investigation continues.