One person suffered minor injuries and one arrest in violent La Mirada crash

A La Mirada News photo

La Mirada- One person was injured and a man was arrested as a result of a late Friday accident that stunned local residents by the extent of the wreckage that occurred on a residential street.

Deputies from La Mirada and four County Fire units rushed to Lemon Dr and Mayes Dr on the La Mirada/East Whittier border near Creek Park at about 11:54 p.m. after a 911 dispatcher received a report that a car had collided with a pole.

Extra, resources were sent by L.A. County Fire dispatchers in anticipation that there might be a physical cut and rescue needed and instead found on their arrival that the only pole that had been involved was a stop sign post. (This happens a lot, better safe than sorry)

After seeing the extent of the wreckage several bystanders commented that people involved were fortunate that just one person sustained minor injuries requiring hospitalization.

Speeding appears to be an obvious contributor to the accident after one of the drivers was overheard telling a family member that they had been doing 40 mph. (The speed limit is 25)  

Deputies arrested a man for suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol.  Witness statements leave open the possibility that factors in addition to DUI are also a factor into the cause of this accident which is still under investigation.

Several blocks of Lemon Dr were closed for about 90 minutes until the wreckage which included a third car that had been parked on the street could be cleared from the roadway.

After seeing the damage caused by the collision several nearby residents told La Mirada News that they troubled by the escalating traffic issues along Lemon Drive involving speeding cars and want action taken.

Three parked cars have been hit over the past year parked along a one-block stretch west of Mayes Drive including two that involving hit-and-run drivers.  CHP arrested one of the drivers after a witness followed home to a home nearby on Scott Ave.

A traffic study commissioned by the city several years ago rejected the suggestion that speed was an issue on the street, determining there were no safety issues of concern on Lemon Drive.

La Mirada News photos