Laguna Canyon Crash Blamed on Racing

Authorities say reckless driving and racing caused a four-car accident that injured three drivers and closed Laguna Canyon Road for about six hours Friday night.

The accident apparently began when one of two drivers who were racing each other lost control of his car while driving north on the two-lane road near the San Diego Freeway, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Driving a Honda Accord, Ali Mashhoon, 19, of Irvine skidded into opposing traffic and broadsided a Volkswagen van, the CHP reported. The Honda then continued its slide through the southbound lane, striking a Ford Taurus and an Acura.

Mashhoon, whose car broke in two pieces in the 8:25 p.m. accident, suffered moderate injuries and was taken by helicopter to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo. He has since been released.

Officials closed the road until the investigation ended about 3 a.m.

Eric Bergman, 29, of Aliso Viejo, who was driving the Acura, was taken to Irvine Medical Center with moderate injuries and later released. The driver of the Taurus, who was unidentified, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to Irvine Medical Center.

A fifth car, a BMW driven by 46-year-old Mehdi Mashhoon, also was involved in the accident by racing with Ali Mashhoon, the CHP reported.

Ali Mashhoon was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and participating in a speed contest, authorities said. The CHP is still investigating Mehdi Mashhoon’s involvement in the case.

It wasn’t clear Saturday whether the men were related.