2 injured when car crashes after high-speed chase

A high-speed chase ended in Costa Mesa early Friday when a BMW exiting the 405 Freeway rolled over and ejected the driver, according to authorities.

At times the short chase reached speeds of 100 mph as the car weaved along the 55 and 405 freeways, said California Highway Patrol Officer Florentino Olivera.

The pursuit ended just after midnight when the driver took the Susan Street offramp near the IKEA store in Costa Mesa, according to the CHP.

“As he took the turn, he was going too fast,” Olivera said.

The car ended up on its roof, and the driver suffered major injuries as he was thrown from the vehicle, authorities said.

A passenger, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries, Olivera said.

Paramedics took both to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. Their identities were not released.

The pursuit had begun about five minutes earlier when the BMW’s driver did not pull over for officers trying to stop it as it sped north on the 55 near the 405 interchange, Olivera said.

Officers followed the car as it exited the 55 at MacArthur Boulevard and quickly got back on the freeway headed south.

The car then entered the northbound 405 before taking the Susan Street exit, according to the CHP.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck