Woman files suit for Newport police crash

An Orange County woman is suing Newport Beach, its Police Department and one of its officers for a car crash she had with an on-duty officer in May on East Coast Highway.

Elizabeth Mead filed a property damage and personal injury lawsuit in February against Newport Beach asking for unlimited damages related to a May 28 crash with a police car.

Preliminary police reports of the crash, at East Coast Highway and Avocado Avenue, said the officer ran a red light and was not responding to a call at the time.

Mead’s attorney, Christopher Purcell, said his client’s vehicle was totaled. She and the officer were sent to the hospital.

She did not suffer any permanent injuries, Purcell said.

The officer’s patrol vehicle suffered moderate to serious front-end damage, police said after the crash.

The California Highway Patrol handled the investigation.

Newport Beach’s city attorney’s office denied Mead’s allegations.

— Joseph Serna