06.05.2019 | 8:56 AM | NEWPORT BEACH – A wrong-way driver traveling at high-speeds caused a fatal wreck, Wednesday morning.
Authorities responded to reports of a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the SR-73 just south of Birch Street around 8:56 AM.
While responding units received reports that the wrong-way driver had collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle.
Units arriving on scene located the three-vehicle crash and determined the occupant of one vehicle, later identified as 64-year-old Arda Gulesserian (Melikyan) of Corona del Mar, had succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, identified as 23-year-old Luke Fitch of Newport Beach, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The driver and passenger of a third involved vehicle escaped injury.
Initial reports indicate Fitch was traveling wrong-way on city streets before entering the northbound SR-73 going southbound at speeds in excess of 100 MPH in Mercedes-Benz wagon.
Several vehicles reportedly swerved to avoid the wrong-way vehicle before it collided with a white BMW sedan driven by Gulesserian and then struck a second white Lexus sedan.
Authorities were still investigating whether Fitch acted intentionally or was under the influence of an intoxicating substance.
No arrests were made pending further investigation.
