Today, at approximately 6:25 a.m., the Costa Mesa Police Department and Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue responded to the intersection of Red Hill and McCormick Avenues after a traffic collision.
It was quickly determined that the collision involved two vehicles, both sedans, and that the driver of one of the vehicles was ejected from his car. That male driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Traffic Safety Bureau’s Major Accident Investigation Team responded, and preliminary investigation indicates that one vehicle was going northbound on Red Hill Avenue, while the other vehicle was making a left hand turn from McCormick Avenue.
The driver who was traveling on Red Hill Avenue remained at the scene and was cooperative. This fatal traffic collision is under investigation.
The intersection of Red Hill Avenue and McCormick Avenue was shut down for about three hours and part of northbound Paularino Avenue was closed off to allow for first responders to handle the scene. The Orange County Sheriff-Coroner’s Offie also responded to the scene. Next of kin notification was made.
The decedent’s name is Rene Sanchez, 45, from Los Angeles.
Drivers who are ejected during traffic accidents in California face a significantly higher risk of death—fatality rates for ejected occupants can be as high as 75% to 80% nationwide, and California trends are consistent with this.
Here’s what the data and safety experts highlight:
- Ejection is one of the strongest predictors of fatal injury in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 3 out of 4 people who are ejected from a vehicle during a crash die from their injuries.
- Seat belt use is the key factor: The vast majority of ejected victims are not wearing seat belts. In California, unrestrained occupants are far more likely to be ejected and killed in crashes.
- California trends mirror national data: While specific annual ejection fatality rates for California are not always broken out, the state’s Office of Traffic Safety and CHP data show that unrestrained occupants account for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths, many involving ejection.
- Rollover crashes are especially deadly: Ejections are more common in rollover crashes, which are more likely to result in fatalities. California’s high rate of SUV and pickup use increases this risk.
- Young male drivers are overrepresented in ejection-related fatalities, often due to lower seat belt usage and higher incidence of high-speed or impaired driving.