One Killed, Whittier Man Arrested In Fiery Newport DUI Crash

WHITTIER, CA — A Whittier man caused a collision that killed a woman on the Costa Mesa Freeway late Sunday, authorities said. California Highway Patrol officers suspect that alcohol was a factor in the fiery crash. One driver was arrested, they say.

The woman, whose identity has been withheld pending notification of her family, was driving a 2004 Toyota Corolla north on the freeway, north of Mesa Drive.

At approximately 11:15 p.m. Sunday, a 2005 Dodge Dakota slammed into the back of her compact Corolla, CHP said. The Toyota then erupted into flames. The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP reported.

The driver of the Dodge Dakota, 26-year-old Kevin Michael Bash of Whittier, was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, said CHP Sgt. M. Stoney.

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