On Friday, September 5, 2025, at approximately 10:55 p.m., the Fountain Valley Police Department responded to a report of a solo-vehicle traffic collision in the area of Brookhurst Street and Edinger Avenue.
Upon arrival, Fountain Valley Police Officers and personnel from the Fountain Valley Fire Department located a vehicle that had been involved in the collision.
The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local trauma center, where they remain in critical but stable condition.
The identity of the deceased driver is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The passenger has not yet been identified.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation by the Fountain Valley Police Department’s Traffic Bureau. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact the Fountain Valley Police Department at 714-593-4348.
Fatal traffic collisions like this one in Fountain Valley are unfortunately not rare in California. Here’s a summary of how often these types of accidents occur:
- Overall Traffic Collisions: California sees nearly 500,000 reported traffic collisions annually, which averages out to about 1,370 crashes per day.
- Fatalities: In 2024, there were 3,807 traffic-related deaths in California. That’s roughly 10 deaths per day.
- Solo-Vehicle Fatal Crashes: About 62% of all fatal car accidents in California involve only one vehicle. These are often the result of speeding, impaired driving, or loss of control.
- Common Causes: The leading contributors to fatal crashes include:
- Distracted driving (about 23% of all crashes)
- Drunk driving (about 29% of traffic fatalities)
- Speeding (about 26% of fatal crashes)
- Timing Patterns: Fatal crashes are more likely to occur late at night, especially between 11 PM and 3 AM, and on weekends.
- Economic Impact: The total cost of traffic accidents in California exceeds $19.5 billion annually, including medical expenses, property damage, and lost productivity.