Early Sunday morning, surveillance footage captured a violent crash at the heart of Orange’s historic Plaza Park. A speeding driver failed to navigate the turn at Orange Circle, plowing through bushes, benches, and barriers before scraping the side of the iconic fountain at the center.
Witnesses said a group of men had just left the area where the car came to rest, leaving behind a mangled vehicle. The driver survived and was arrested on suspicion of DUI, according to a spokesperson for the Orange Police Department.
Authorities told KTLA the suspect was on DUI probation at the time and had prior convictions.
Residents expressed frustration over yet another incident at the fountain. “I just don’t know why people can’t figure it out and stop driving through it! It blows my mind,” said local resident, Kurtis Adams.
Others pointed to a broader responsibility, noting the risks of drinking and driving. “You know if you’re gonna drink, don’t drive. If you’re gonna drive, don’t drink. It’s real simple,” a bystander commented.
This crash is the latest in a troubling pattern at the historic site. Police records show four collisions at the fountain over the past two years.
In March 2023, a carjacking suspect leading officers on a chase crashed into the fountain, flipping his vehicle several times. Five months later, an SUV struck a tree near the fountain; the driver was rescued from the burning vehicle.
After months of repairs to the fountain’s historic tilework and the installation of safety enhancements at the roundabout, the site reopened to the public in April 2024.
By November of that year, a speeding 18-year-old hit the fountain directly on a rainy night, prompting another arrest for reckless driving.
Orange police said while the plaza has seen its share of accidents, they respond even more frequently to other intersections around town, both DUI-related and otherwise.
Some residents have called for the historic plaza to be converted into a pedestrian-only space. “During COVID, when it was shut down, it was really nice… I understand that they can’t do that forever,” said Adams.
Others lamented the repeated damage to a cherished public space. “It’s a shame because it’s a pretty beautiful historic place,” one resident said.
Chris Wolfe contributed to this report.
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