Senior couple killed in crash

Costa Mesa police have identified the man and woman who died this morning when their car crashed through a chain-link fence and rolled down an embankment onto the southbound 55 Freeway.

Sgt. Victor Bakkila said the deceased were Jack Marvin Henderson, 69, of Costa Mesa, and his wife, Carolyn Frances Henderson, 65. Their families have been notified.

The crash, which occurred about 9:09 a.m., caused police to block off several lanes of traffic around the Del Mar Avenue exit on the southbound 55. Carolyn, the passenger, died at the scene; Jack, the driver, was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and died shortly afterward.

The cause of the single-car crash remained unclear by the afternoon, and Sgt. Greg Scott said a preliminary investigation had turned up no signs of alcohol. He noted, though, that the car had been traveling at a high rate of speed.

“It was definitely over the limit,” Scott said.

The car reportedly exited the 55 and merged onto Newport Boulevard, then left the roadway and crashed through the fence.