Man arrested after car crashes on Costa Mesa golf course

By Hannah FryStaff Writer

Jan. 4, 2016 5:05 PM PT

A Costa Mesa man suspected of driving under the influence was arrested early Saturday after his car slammed into a tree on the fairway of the Costa Mesa municipal golf course and caught fire, authorities said.

The incident began just after 2 a.m. when a car hit another on the 55 Freeway and sped away, police said.

Police say the fleeing driver exited the freeway and was speeding down surface streets when he failed to negotiate a turn on Fair Drive near the golf course. The car struck the fence surrounding the course and went onto the fairway before hitting a tree, according to Lt. Greg Scott.

The car caught fire and the driver tried to flee on foot before being apprehended by police, Scott said.

Steven James Anderson, 27, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit-and-run and was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, where he was treated for minor injuries.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the initial crash on the freeway.

Hannah Fry

Hannah Fry covers breaking news for the Los Angeles Times. She most recently covered Orange County for The Times and has written extensively about criminal trials, housing, politics and government. In 2020, Fry was part of the team that was a Pulitzer finalist for its coverage of a boat fire that killed 34 people off the coast of Santa Barbara. Fry came to The Times from the Daily Pilot, where she covered coastal cities, education and crime. An Orange County native, Fry started her career as an intern at the Orange County Register.