Three injured when truck slams into tree

COSTA MESA -- A 47-year-old driver and his two passengers are

recovering at two area hospitals after his truck slammed into a palm tree

Monday morning.

The driver, who lives in Stanton, apparently lost control of his

vehicle and swerved across three lanes of traffic before crashing into

the median and the tree. Mechanical failure may be the cause of the

accident, but police cited the driver for unsafe driving.

The driver was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana and was

treated for cuts to the head. The two passengers -- ages 19 and 25 --

both of Anaheim, also suffered injuries and were taken to Coastal

Community Hospital in Costa Mesa. The passenger, sitting in the front

seat, suffered four fractured toes and the other victim complained of

pain to his upper back and chest.

The accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. southbound in the 3000

block of Bristol Street near the intersection of Paularino Avenue. The

driver of the 1979 Ford F150 pickup truck was driving in the far right

lane when he lost control of the vehicle and began drifting into the next

lane. He was driving about 40 mph when he hit the tree.

All of the victims were wearing their seat belts, which prevented

further injuries, police said. No drugs or alcohol contributed to the

accident, police added.

-- Greg Risling