Driver collides with pole at IVC campus entrance
At approximately 4:30 p.m. on March 18, the Irvine Police Department responded to a single vehicle collision in the area of Irvine Center Drive and College that was blocking the front entrance of Irvine Valley College’s campus, according to Farrah Emami, the department’s Public Information Officer.
The single male occupant had collided with a light pole near the Jeffrey Road and Irvine Center Drive intersection.
“A male in his early twenties hit a light standard and was taken as a trauma patient to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana with possible broken bones and cuts and bruises,” Captain of the Orange County Fire Department Steve Concialdi said. “He had to be extracted using heavy specialized tools by OC Fire Authority fire fighters.”
“[He] was extricated from the vehicle by the Orange County Fire Authority [and] was transported to an area hospital,” Emami said.
Vehicle extrication is typical in situations where, due to the nature of the crash, injuries, or a myriad of circumstances, passengers are unable to exit the vehicle through standard methods.
The victim, though transported to the hospital, sustained only non life-threatening injuries, Emami said.
It is not yet known if the driver is a student of Irvine Valley College.
IVC students received an email notification from the Irvine Valley College Police Department at 4:55 p.m. warning them to avoid the intersection of Jeffrey Road and Irvine Center Drive. The email additionally informed recipients that the Irvine Center Drive entrance to the campus was closed due to the car crash.
The college entrance has since been reopened.
“The roadway has been cleared and there is no further impact to traffic at this time,” Emani said.
Sandy Theriault, Lead Police Dispatcher for the IVC Police Department, confirmed the clearance.
“At approximately 5:13 p.m. our officers determined that the entrance at Irvine Center Drive and College is back open,” Theriault said.
The college has since sent a followup correspondence informing student recipients that the roads are clear, she said.