Car-vs.-SUV collision sends drivers to hospital

A Lexus sport utility vehicle flipped after a collision Friday morning in Newport, sending two women to the hospital, police said.

As morning drivers headed to work just before 9 a.m. Friday, police said San Clemente resident Stephanie Dressler was westbound on Bristol Street North when she ran a red light at Birch Street.

Dressler’s red Nissan Altima broadsided the Lexus SUV, sending it tumbling through the intersection until it lay overturned by a crosswalk, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

The SUV’s driver, Kathy Murray of Newport Beach, suffered minor injures, Sailor said.

Witnesses said Murray had the green light, Sailor said.

Both women were taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian with minor injuries and complaints of pain, officials said.

Dressler was cited for running the red light.

— Joseph Serna