Simultaneous traffic collisions in Laguna Beach lead to one arrest, one in critical condition

A rollover traffic collision in Laguna Beach on Sunday resulted in the arrest of Chula Vista resident Stephanie Berkell Montoya, 28, on suspicion of a felony DUI causing injury, child endangerment, a felony hit and run, driving with a suspended license and DUI while on probation for a DUI.

Laguna Beach police and fire officials were dispatched to Pearl Street and South Coast Highway at around 4:59 p.m. Montoya, the driver of the vehicle, allegedly hit two parked vehicles on the west side of the road while driving southbound. The vehicle collided with the second parked vehicle at an angle that caused the moving vehicle to flip over onto its roof and stop in the middle of two southbound lanes.

Police said the driver then fled on foot and was found near Ruby Street and South Coast Highway where officers detained her. Montoya admitted to the collision.

A woman is given medical care by firefighters in Laguna on Sunday afternoon.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Laguna Beach Sgt. Jim Cota said Montoya was intoxicated and found to have a suspended driver’s license for a prior DUI arrest. Two passengers were inside the car. An adult female was in the front passenger seat, and her 5-year-old daughter was in the backseat. Both passengers and the driver were transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. The child was in a car seat.

Laguna Beach police and fire were also dispatched to another traffic collision at around 4:58 p.m. at Solana Way and South Coast Highway.

A motorcyclist crashed into a vehicle, was ejected from his seat and thrown across three lanes of traffic. The vehicle he struck was pushed into the Casa Laguna Hotel and caused damage to a pillar next to the main building. A building inspector from the city responded to check the structural integrity of the pillar and is working with the owner.

Neither the vehicle’s driver or passenger were injured. An Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter transported the motorcyclist to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo in critical condition.

An Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter crewman helps transport a motorcyclist who crashed on South Coast Highway at Solana Way in Laguna Beach on Sunday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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