Costa Mesa driver dies after stroke suffered before crash, family says
A Costa Mesa woman who was involved in a crash last month had suffered a stroke while she was driving and later died, a member of the woman’s family said.
A Costa Mesa police officer witnessed the collision at 10:49 p.m. Sept. 26 at the intersection of Victoria Street and Canyon Drive, Costa Mesa police Lt. Greg Scott said.
Police originally reported that Gabriela Lopez Sanchez, 30, ran a red light in her Mercedes C250 and was broadsided by a Ford Fusion.
Sanchez’s stepfather, Roberto Avila, said Friday that she suffered a stroke from a brain aneurism while driving, causing her to go through the light.
Costa Mesa police Sgt. Zach Hoferitza said Tuesday that the crash is still under investigation but that medical staff at the scene believed Sanchez may have had a “medical issue” before the crash.
Sanchez, the mother of a 12-year-old son, was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, where she was on life support until being disconnected Oct. 1, Avila said.
The driver of the Fusion, Harriet Tugman, 53, of Long Beach and her passenger, Brandi Danley, 50, of Buena Park were taken to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach after they reported chest pains, Scott said. They were later released.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
