Victims Identified in Fatal Crashes

Identities of two motorists who died in South County car crashes Tuesday were released by police Wednesday.

Mission Viejo resident Carmela L. Pedersen, 78, was fatally injured when her car was broadsided in Laguna Hills. Pedersen had turned left into oncoming traffic, authorities said. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured or cited, Orange County Sheriff’s officials said.

Rancho Santa Margarita resident Robert J. Mohler, 25, died at the scene when his car spun out of control and struck a utility pole on Live Oak Canyon Road near Trabuco Canyon, authorities said.

Mohler was traveling about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone on a dark, curvy part of the road when he lost control of his car.