CAR ACCIDENT: 4 injured in 91 freeway crash

February 22, 2010

Anaheim – A county sheriff and his wife suffered minor injuries after a 23-year-old man driving at around 100mph rear-ended their vehicle along the 91 freeway, at about 11 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, a principal and his assistant from Marina High School in Huntington Beach who were returning from a basketball playoff game were severely injured after hitting debris from the crash, officials said.

Los Angeles County deputy sheriff Jonathan Kerber, 23, was driving his 2003 Honda Civic with his wife Mallory Kerber, 27, when a 2007 GMC Sierra driven by Thomas Reed rear-ended them on the 91 freeway, east of Imperial Highway.

According to California Highway Patrol spokeswoman Jennifer Hink, Kerber tried to avoid the Sierra by swerving to the right, hitting a fence, while Reed swerved to the left hitting the toll road center divider.

At that moment, Marina High Principal Paul Morrow was driving his car with Assistant Principal Jeanne Ellis returning from a playoff game when they hit debris from the initial accident. “I hit something full speed at 60mph that launched me in the air”, Morrow said.

Morrow has several concussions and bruises while Ellis suffered severe injuries including broken bones.

The suspect tried to leave the scene but Kerber caught and detained him.

As of Monday, the District Attorney’s Office stated that there is insufficient evidence that Reed was driving under the influence. About noon, he was released from the Orange County Central Jail.

In 2007, when he was still under age, Reed pleaded guilty to possessing alcohol.