Passenger expected to survive Wednesday’s crash

One of the passengers in a fatal crash Wednesday is expected to recover, Newport Beach police said Thursday.

An unnamed 21-year-old woman, who was sitting in the right rear-passenger seat at the time of the crash, was transported in critical condition to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, said Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe. Investigators were informed that the passenger would survive, she said.

Police have identified the driver as 22-year-old Jose Paz of Costa Mesa, son of 45-year-old Angelina Paz, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Jose Paz declined medical treatment.

The 2001 Honda Civic the three were in jumped the southbound curb of MacArthur and struck a light pole between Ford Road and Vilaggio. The crash happened about 3:30 a.m. So far the only witness police have found is a passerby who arrived after the collision, Lowe said.

— Mike Reicher

Twitter: @mreicher