Freeways, Airport Busy but Bearable at Holiday’s Close

Orange County highways bustled and thousands passed through John Wayne Airport, but authorities reported no major problems late Sunday as Thanksgiving holiday travelers returned home on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Statewide, at least 44 traffic deaths were recorded, down from 46 fatalities during the same period last year, the California Highway Patrol said. Across the state, 1,394 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, down from 1,577 arrests in 1995.

At John Wayne Airport, officials said that Saturday’s private plane crash that killed three people did not cause any disruption in passenger arrivals and departures on Sunday. The bright yellow jet, which was returning to the airport after taking off, crashed through the roof of a medical supply company about one mile from the runway. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

“The tragedy did not affect airport operations,” John Wayne spokeswoman Pat Ware said. “The Sunday after Thanksgiving is one of our busiest days of the year, and this year is no exception. We expect close to 26,000 passengers to go through the airport on Sunday, and we don’t anticipate any delays in takeoffs or arrivals.”

Ware said the number of passengers who used the airport on Sunday represents a slight increase from the same time last year.

Local highways were busy throughout the day, and northbound traffic on Interstate 5 was backed up for more than an hour Sunday morning as CHP officers cleared a two-car accident near the Avenida Pico offramp in San Clemente.

A CHP spokesman said the 8:15 a.m. crash occurred when a car driver tried to change lanes and clipped a truck, causing the truck to roll several times. The truck, driven by Daon Sano, 34, of Oxnard landed upside down on the right shoulder, momentarily trapping Sano and his dog.

Sano was taken to a hospital with a broken leg and other injuries that were not described as life-threatening, CHP officials said. The dog was treated at a local veterinary hospital for minor injuries.

The car, driven by George Zevada, 18, sustained major damage to the front end and ended up in the center divider. Neither Zevada, an Arcadia resident, nor his passenger, David Saensook of Temple City, was injured.

The accident, which backed up traffic for more than one mile, is under investigation.

In Los Angeles County, at least six people, including a 3-year-old boy, were killed in traffic accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday, up from four deaths last year during the same period, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Four of the victims, among them 3-year-old Alejandro Cazares, died late Saturday night when their car swerved out of control and struck a large oak tree in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles police said.

The state’s single deadliest incident--six victims--occurred Friday in Baker, when two carloads of Orange County residents were allegedly racing on the way home from Las Vegas on Interstate 15, officials said.

A pickup truck cut off one of the two cars, which swerved through the median and struck a Lincoln head-on. All four occupants in the speeding car died, as did a Bonsall mother and son in the Lincoln, identified Sunday as Darlene Beauchamp, 52, and her son Robert Beauchamp, 32, according to the CHP.

The Garden Grove victims were identified as sister and brother Tuan Nguyen, 19 and Huynh Nguyen, 22; Cang Van Nguyen, 22; and Nhan Nguyen, 15, who are not related.

Officials said they are still investigating the accident. They are looking for the driver and passenger of the full-size pickup truck with Texas plates. CHP Sgt. Stan Clair said a dispute at the Nevada state line between the driver of the pickup and members of the Garden Grove group might have contributed to the accident.

Also contributing to this report were Times staff writers Anna Cekola and Dan Weikel and the Associated Press.