BREAKING NEWS:

A car crash on the interchange between the 73 and 405 freeways sent a truck sliding across opposite lanes and left another car on fire, Costa Mesa fire officials said this morning.

At about 9 p.m., a black 2007 Dodge Charger was traveling at a high rate of speed headed onto the southbound 73 freeway from the 405 when it rear ended an older-model Toyota Tacoma, said California Highway Patrol Officer Jennifer Hink. The Toyota rolled over the median, sliding across northbound lanes to the Fairview Road exit lane, Hink said. Amazingly, it was not hit by oncoming cars, said Costa Mesa Battalion Chief Kevin Diamond. One car was hit by debris from the crash, officers said.

The Toyota’s driver, 38-year-old Jeffrey Carpio of Huntington Beach, was taken to UCI Medical Center’s trauma center with moderate injuries, Diamond said.

The Dodge Charger’s engine caught on fire, firefighters said. The driver, 27-year-old Colin James of Newport Beach, was uninjured. Costa Mesa and Newport Beach firefighters both responded to the accident, with Costa Mesa taking over the scene.

Hink said lanes were closed for at least an hour and a half following the crash. It took at least two hours to clean up the debris the northbound lanes, Diamond said.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.