CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

DUI Crash Causes $7,200 Damage to Corona del Mar Palms

A suspected drunk driver who crashed into several palm trees early Saturday caused more than $7,200 in damage, and that number could continue to grow, city officials said today.

The trees were planted in the spring as part of a Corona del Mar beautification project. The crash occurred about 3:17 a.m. Saturday when a driver lost control and hit three trees in the East Coast Highway median near Goldenrod Ave. The driver was booked on suspicion of DUI.

The Newport Beach Public Works Department crews planted the King Palm trees, said Tara Finnigan, a city spokeswoman.

“Two were completely destroyed, and the third palm hit sustained little damage, but is leaning,” she said. “We will need to have a crew reposition it.”

A contractor will need to remove the two stumps, which will cost $190, plus an additional $190 to try to straighten the third tree, she said. Replacement trees will cost another $900, she said.

The city’s Park Division crews are checking to see if there was damage to the irrigation system, and if the third tree dies, there will be additional costs, she said.

The city’s Administrative Services Department staff will attempt to recover the costs from the driver or his insurance company, sending him a bill once the full amount is known and an invoice created, she said.