SANTA ANA, CA (May 21, 2024) – A 66-year-old woman died in a fatal traffic collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of 17th Street and Tustin Avenue, according to the SAPD.

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 4:19 a.m., the Santa Ana Police Department received a call regarding a traffic collision involving two vehicles, a Jeep Rubicon and a Honda Civic, at the intersection of Tustin Ave. and 17th St.

Police officers, along with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), responded to the scene where they located a female passenger in the Honda unresponsive. Despite life-saving measures, the female was pronounced deceased at the scene by the OCFA.

The male driver of the Honda was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and was discharged soon thereafter. The lone female driver of the Jeep remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the Honda was traveling northbound on Tustin Ave. As the Honda attempted to make a westbound turn onto 17th St., it was struck by the Jeep traveling southbound on Tustin Ave. The cause of the collision is still under investigation however, neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be a factor.

The Orange County Coroner’s Office identified the decedent as Maria Quinones (66) of Garden Grove.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Catlin at (714) 245-8224 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.