Mission Viejo : Motorist Hits Hydrant After Car’s Brakes Fail

A 32-year-old woman crashed into a fire hydrant Sunday morning while trying to avoid hitting cars that had stopped in front of her, authorities said.

Elsa Montano, 32, of Mission Viejo crashed her 1971 Volkswagen into the hydrant near La Paz Road and Mosquero Lane about 9 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Bruce Lian said.

Montano told investigating officers that her car brakes failed as she was driving west on La Paz and approaching traffic stopped ahead of her. She swerved to the right, striking a curb and knocking out the fire hydrant, Lian said.

Montano, who complained of hip pain, was taken to Mission Community Hospital in Mission Viejo, where she was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit, a hospital spokeswoman said late Sunday.