2 Children Hurt in 5-Car Accident in Westminster

WESTMINSTER — Two children were thrown into the street Tuesday and their Halloween candy scattered in the intersection in a five-car accident involving an alleged drunk driver, said police and fire officials.

Police said a 40-year-old woman in a Ford Explorer was driving north on Golden West Street at 8:06 p.m. when she ran a red light at Garden Grove Boulevard. She struck a Jeep Cherokee carrying a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, who were ejected into the intersection along with their candy, Lt. Mike Schliskey said.

The Ford Explorer then veered off and hit three other cars.

The children, who had not been wearing seat belts, received only minor injuries, Schliskey said. They were treated at UCI Medical Center in Orange.

The children’s mother, who was driving, and their grandmother were taken to UCI Medical Center with injuries.

The driver of the Explorer was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. She was taken to Anaheim General Hospital complaining of pain but declined treatment, Schliskey said. She has not been identified.