BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS One of two...

BRIEFLY IN

THE NEWS

One of two drivers runs red light, causes crash

A red-light runner caused a Tuesday morning traffic accident in

Costa Mesa, but police don’t know who’s at fault.

Drivers of both vehicles involved in the accident at the

intersection of Newport Boulevard and West Bay Street told officers

they thought they had a green light. No witnesses have come forward.

At about 8:50 a.m., Irvine resident Rose Marie Leonard, 36, was

driving her 2003 Toyota Corolla southbound on Newport Boulevard,

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. David Anderson said. A 1996 Chevrolet S-10

driven by 19-year-old Costa Mesa resident Justin Pratt struck the

Corolla as his truck traveled west on Bay Street.

The truck smashed in the driver’s side door of the Corolla,

injuring Leonard. She was treated and released at Hoag Hospital for

minor injuries.

No citations were issued and the accident does not appear to be

alcohol-related, Anderson said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Costa Mesa Police at

(714) 754-5280.

Fliers draw reports from assault victims

Three more victims have come forward in connection with a series

of attacks on Costa Mesa’s Westside.

The women contacted the police Monday after seeing fliers

circulated by police with sketches of two possible suspects, Lt. John

FitzPatrick said. That brings the total number of victims to eight.

The newly reported attacks all took place in December, before

those already known, he said. The first was at 9:50 a.m. Dec. 3 on

Victoria Street and Puente Avenue.

A second happened at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Victoria and Maple

streets and a third took place at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Victoria and

Miner streets.

Most of the assaults have targeted women walking alone in broad

daylight. In the attacks, suspected to involve at least two men, the

victims are grabbed from behind and touched inappropriately.

Anyone with information about the assailants is asked to call the

Costa Mesa Police Department at (714) 754-5281.