Passenger killed in fiery collision

One passenger was killed and three people were injured in a fiery Christmas Eve crash on East Coast Highway in Newport Beach, authorities said.

About 5:12 p.m., a westbound Ferrari lost control along East Coast Highway, near Jamboree Road, jumping the median and smashing head-on into a tow truck, police said, citing an initial investigation.

The Ferrari was split into two pieces of mangled metal and glass, and caught fire. Its driver was killed. There were two people in each vehicle.

Firefighters rescued the sports car’s driver and took the person to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

The tow truck’s driver and passenger were taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian with minor injuries.

Newport Beach Traffic Investigator Todd Bush said it did not immediately appear that alcohol was a factor.

Eighteen firefighters responded to the crash. For several hours after the crash, East Coast Highway was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, between Bayside Drive and Jamboree.