Woman Killed in Suspected DUI Crash in Orange County Wetlands

The collision sent the victim's car into the marsh, where she later died from her injuries.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car headlight lens, reflecting the harsh glare of a camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the sudden and violent impact of a DUI collision.The aftermath of a suspected DUI crash that left a woman dead and her car submerged in a sensitive wetlands area.Orange Today

A 54-year-old woman from Long Beach was killed in a suspected DUI crash in Huntington Beach, California. The woman's car was struck from behind by a 24-year-old Long Beach man, causing her vehicle to careen into a nearby wetlands area. The woman was extracted from the car by police and lifeguards but later died from her injuries at a local hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was taken into custody on suspicion of impairment.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can have on innocent lives. It also raises concerns about the safety of roadways and wetland areas in Orange County, where similar crashes have occurred in the past.

The details

According to the Huntington Beach Police Department, the crash happened around 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday on Pacific Coast Highway south of Warner Avenue. A silver Kia Soul and a white BMW 328i collided, with the force of the impact sending the Kia into the nearby marsh. Police and lifeguards were able to extract the 54-year-old female driver of the Kia, but she later died from her injuries at a local hospital. The 24-year-old male driver of the BMW was taken into custody on suspicion of impairment.

  • The crash occurred around 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The victim, a 54-year-old woman from Long Beach, was transported to a local hospital where she eventually succumbed to her injuries.

The players

Huntington Beach Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the crash and the suspected impaired driver.

Huntington Beach Lifeguards

Emergency responders who assisted in extracting the victim from the submerged vehicle.

24-year-old Long Beach man

The driver of the BMW 328i who was taken into custody on suspicion of impairment.

54-year-old woman from Long Beach

The victim who was killed in the crash when her Kia Soul was struck from behind and sent into the nearby wetlands.

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What they’re saying

“Based on the preliminary investigation, the Kia was traveling northbound on PCH when it was struck from behind by the BMW, also traveling northbound on PCH, sending the Kia into the wetlands.”

— Jessica Cuchilla, HBPD Public Affairs Officer

What’s next

The HBPD Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is continuing to investigate the collision, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the events leading up to it is urged to contact HBPD Traffic Investigator V. Rattanchandani.

The takeaway

This tragic crash serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the importance of road safety, particularly in areas with wetlands or other environmental features that can increase the risk of serious accidents. The community must remain vigilant in addressing this ongoing issue and work to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.