A man was killed Monday in a three-vehicle crash on the Santa Ana (5) Freeway in Irvine.
The crash was reported about 8:30 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway near Sand Canyon Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
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A witness told authorities the person who died was behind the wheel of an Infiniti, driving at a "high rate of speed" approaching halted traffic when he slammed into the back of a Jeep in the fast lane, according to CHP Officer Fernando Perez. The force of the collision pushed the Jeep into a Mazda SUV, Perez said.
The Infiniti driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was identified as Irving Jose Orozco Gomez, 26, of Los Angeles, according to Orange County Sheriff's Sgt. Gerard McCann.
The Jeep driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and the Mazda driver was treated on scene for complaint of injuries, Perez said.
The crash backed up traffic in both directions.
Initially, all northbound lanes were closed but the CHP reopened at least one lane about 20 minutes after the crash was reported.
The CHP was investigating the crash.
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