Driver Loses Control, Dies in Head-On Crash
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LAGUNA BEACH — A 17-year-old driver was killed Sunday afternoon on Laguna Canyon Road when he lost control of his car, crossed into oncoming traffic, hit a guardrail and then collided with another car, police said.
Christopher Jolin Nguyen of Stanton was pronounced dead at the scene, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Raymond Lardie said.
The driver of the other car, Linda Christy Koyamatsu, 31, of Aliso Viejo, suffered a broken right leg and a broken left hand, he said.
Witnesses told police that Nguyen, in a brown 1986 Toyota, was speeding eastbound on Laguna Canyon Road when he drove off the roadway and onto the right shoulder, Lardie said.
He lost control and crossed over into the westbound lanes, striking a guardrail and colliding with Koyamatsu, who was westbound.
The crash, which occurred east of the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road overpass, required authorities to close the canyon road from El Toro Road to the San Diego Freeway for two hours.
Road conditions were clear and dry, Lardie said.
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