Woman Killed, 4 Hurt in Car Crash; Driver Arrested
A driver slammed into a palm tree and telephone pole in Anaheim early Saturday, killing a woman in his car and injuring four others, authorities said.
Anthony R. Alcantar, 24, of Whittier, was booked into Anaheim Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, Lt. Jack Parra said. Alcantar, who escaped injury, was held on $25,000 bail.
The accident occurred at 2:20 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Beach Boulevard near Orange Avenue, Parra said.
Patricia Griswald, 53, of Costa Mesa died at the scene after the 1983 Lincoln Continental she was riding in veered off the road and first hit the palm tree and then the telephone pole, Parra said.
Melinda Shaffer, 20, and Tawny Shaffer, 4, were treated for minor injuries at UCI Medical Center and hospitalized for observation. The other two, Jeffrey Shaffer, 4, and Cory Shaffer, 1, were treated at Humana Hospital West in Anaheim and released, Parra said.
Investigators said the relationship of the driver and passengers was unclear.
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