2 die in freeway crash

Two people were killed late Sunday in a head-on collision on the

Corona del Mar (73) Freeway when one of the drivers was reportedly

traveling in the wrong direction.

Belia Padilla, 22, of Huntington Beach, entered the freeway using

the Birch Street offramp, according to the California Highway Patrol.

After getting onto the freeway, she drove north in the southbound

lanes.

Padilla accelerated her 2001 Honda Accord to freeway speed before

crashing into a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Nathaniel Jacobs, 21,

of San Diego.

Highway Patrol Officer Marco DeGennaro described the crash as

“pretty scary, a head-on at 60, 65 [mph].”

Padilla and Jacobs were both killed in the crash. No one else was

injured, DeGennaro said. Jacobs’ Blazer caught fire; however,

preliminary investigation indicates that he died on impact.

The crash remained under investigation Monday. Officials have not

determined whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.