Two people were killed and three others injured in a four car crash that split one car in half Sunday afternoon in Dana Point.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the incident took place at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Coast Highway near Beach Road. Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the accident, but early indications suggest that a Volkswagen Jetta traveling northbound on the two lane road attempted to pass a Mini Cooper piloted by a student driver and struck a Honda Civic and a passenger van traveling in the opposite direction.

“It appears initially that the Volkswagen attempted some type of passing movement, and then shortly after the collision occurred,” says Sheriff’s Lieutenant Jeff Hallock. On the stretch of Coast Highway where the accident happened, double yellow lines prohibit vehicles from making any such passing maneuvers.

The violent collision split the Volkswagen in half, scattering debris and car parts across all lanes. A 43 year old man and a 32 year old woman on board were killed. A child safety seat was buckled into the rear passenger seat, but the couple’s ten month old child was not in the car at the time.

The accident also knocked the passenger van onto its side, inflicting moderate injuries to a man and a woman inside. A woman in the Honda Civic was hurt as well. All three were taken to Mission Regional Trauma Center in Mission Viejo where they are expected to make a full recovery. The 15 year old student driver and an instructor in the Mini Cooper were unhurt.

Following the crash, both directions of Coast Highway were closed between Camino Capistrano and Beach Road as crews cleared away the obliterated Volkswagen and the rest of the accident debris. Investigators were also on the scene to confirm the cause of the accident. At this time it is unclear of speed was also a factor.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident such as this, you should seek help, as there are legal protections in place to help victims back on their feet. Depending on the circumstances that led to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation to help cover costs like hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and more. You can also recover wages lost from time spent away from work, or from a loss of future earning potential, should your injuries prevent you from returning to work.

At AA Accident Attorneys, we understand your legal rights, and will fight to get you everything that you rightfully deserve. We will guide you through the entire legal process, file your claim, and protect you from harassing phone calls from insurance companies while you focus entirely on the treatment of your injuries.

If you’d like more information on the kinds of services we can offer you, or for a free evaluation to discuss your available options, call us right away. As always, we will not charge you for any of our legal services until your case sis won; if we are unable to collect on your case, then you will not owe us anything. If you’ve been injured in an accident, call us today!