01.23.2026 | 8:05 PM | NEWPORT BEACH – A wrong-way driver caused a major crash that critically injured three people, Friday night.
The wrong-way driver was reported heading northbound in southbound lanes of the SR-73 Freeway near Greenfield Drive around 8:05 PM.
While units were still responding the wrong-way vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle near Newport Coast Drive.
Three people were trapped as a result of the collision and all had to be extricated by firefighters before being rushed to area hospitals in critical condition.
Each vehicle sustained massive damage as a result of the collision and all southbound lanes of the SR-73 were closed while police investigated.
It is unclear what prompted the wrong-way driving that lead to the collision.
A California Highway Patrol information page reflected that one of the vehicles was associated with a person who had been reported missing though further information regarding the missing person was not immediately available.
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