The president of a mortgage lending company in California, Serene Francie Rosenberg, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fatal traffic collision in Dana Point. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the incident occurred on Friday at approximately 6:15 p.m. when deputies responded to a report of a crash involving two vehicles at the intersection of Golden Lantern and Stonehill Drive, about 60 miles south of Los Angeles.
Upon arrival, deputies found that a Land Rover SUV and a Ford Transit van had collided head-on. Preliminary investigations revealed that the Land Rover, driven by Rosenberg, was traveling westbound on Stonehill Drive and turned left against a red arrow, directly into the path of the eastbound Ford Transit van. The driver of the van was hospitalized with serious, though non-life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately, an 88-year-old passenger in the van, Melvin Joseph Weibel of Dana Point, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rosenberg, 48, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and later booked into jail on charges of murder and DUI causing injury. Authorities noted that she had three prior convictions, though details of the charges were not provided.
Rosenberg is employed by OCMBC, a mortgage lending company, which issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims of the accident. The company stated its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and acting in accordance with its core values. OCMBC also announced that Rosenberg had been placed on administrative leave, and John Hamel, former Chief Capital Markets Officer, would assume the role of company president, ensuring stability and continuity.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is actively investigating the collision. Authorities are requesting anyone with additional information or witnesses to the incident to contact the Traffic Bureau.