An 18-year-old from Ladera Ranch died Sunday after he fell about 50 to 60 feet onto a cement embankment from a freeway overpass following a traffic crash, authorities said.

At about 11:40 p.m. Saturday, Cameron Cook was a passenger in a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro going north on the 57 freeway south of Katella Avenue at 65 to 70 mph when the car was involved in what the California Highway Patrol described as a "solo traffic collision." There were no further details on what kind of collision it was.

The car came to a rest, facing north on the right shoulder and partially blocking the No. 5 lane, according to CHP.

The driver and Cook exited the car. Someone stopped shortly after the accident and advised the driver to turn on his emergency lights. While the driver went back inside the car to turn on the lights, Cook remained on the right shoulder near the Camaro's rear.

A few minutes later, a 1993 Honda Civic traveling north on the 57 struck the front left side of the Camaro. The force of the collision caused the Camaro to be pushed to the right, striking Cook and pushing him backward over the overpass railing.

Cook was transported to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he died at 5:08 a.m. Sunday, according to the coroner's office.

CHP did not release names of either driver. The Camaro driver, listed as 18 and from San Juan Capistrano, suffered minor injuries and was not sent to a hospital, according to CHP. The driver of the Civic, listed as 24 and from Highland, suffered bruises to her right hand and a gouge to her right leg, according to CHP.

CHP said it does not know the relationship of the Camaro driver to Cook.

Dear Ladera Ranch Community

As you may know, the Board of LARMAC, the master homeowners association in Ladera Ranch and the LARCS Board, the community services organization for Ladera Ranch, both refused the request of Taste of Ladera to use Founders Park in 2011. In an effort to secure an alternative location after these rejections, the Sheriff department, Fire department, and the County granted Taste of Ladera an encroachment permit No. 2011-00040 for closing Windmill North of Corporate Drive. We sought additional space adjacent to the street closure and were declined. We continue to have road blocks brought up from the Property Managers, LARCS, and LARMAC despite our concerted efforts.  We have worked too hard for the last eight years on having an issue free event to go into this event with anything but the perfect set-up and layout.  Although not necessary to conduct the event, we needed the additional space to make it the exceptional event that people have come to expect.

I can’t begin to express my appreciation for all the time, support, and work our volunteers and charities have devoted to making this event spectacular, which was a big part of our decision.   We will keep you up to date on any developments surrounding Taste of Ladera. We need your support to locate and secure a successful event for next year’s Taste of Ladera 2012.

Sincerely,

Michelle

Ladera Ranch, CA - Ladera Ranch Education Foundation’s (LREF) 7th annual signature fundraising event, the Groovy Gala, will be held on March 19, 2011 Baja Surf Tacos, Beachfire, the Hot Lunch Lady, and Roma d’Italia.

Net proceeds from the Groovy Gala will fund the LREF grant program which supports our public schools, including Chaparral, Ladera and Oso elementary, Ladera middle, and Tesoro & San Juan Hills high schools.  Grants are awarded on an annual basis and fund various curriculum areas including reading, math, social studies and music.  Since formation in July 2004, LREF has granted over $170,000 back to the schools.

Sponsorships, donations, and volunteers are still needed.  The Groovy Gala is a great way to market your business to the community, and help give back to our schools.  Please visit http://www.LREFGala.com for details, or contact Meredith Giraudi,  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , with questions.

There is no need for a formal invitation, you are invited!  Tickets are on sale athttp://www.LREFGala.com.  Don’t miss the opportunity to get your groove on, while supporting the schools at the same time.

Event Complete and the Taste of Ladera Committee say that they have finalized arrangements to use an area surrounding 24 Hour Fitness and the Terrace Shops, East of Antonio Parkway.  The County will be closing Windmill Avenue near Corporate Drive and the event will be held on both sides of Windmill.  According to organizers, the Orange County Fire Authority has approved the road closures and ensured that the space will be sufficient for the crowd.   

The popular annual Ladera Ranch event will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 30th and May 1st, 2011. 

The major event was almost cancelled due to a change in Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS) policy that forbid Taste of Ladera from using Founder's Park, but the event's organizer, Michelle Patterson worked to find an alternative solution.'

LARCS policy would have meant that the event, which attracts approximately 20,000 people annually, would have been limited to only one day of operation and permitted only to use Town Green park.

"We outgrew Town Green the first year," said Patterson.  

Now in its 7th year, Taste of Ladera features a celebration of the finest local eateries, specialty vendors, live performances and fun for the entire family. The festivities will take place 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturday, and from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday. 

"There are two big changes this year with ticketing," said Patterson.

"Ladera Ranch residents will be able to buy up to 8 tickets per household in advance for only ten dollars each."  That amount is $7 less per ticket than last year.   "We wanted to make sure that local residents got a great deal on an event that is all about Ladera Ranch," Patterson said.  She added that 75% of last year's pre-sale tickets were purchased by Ladera Ranch residents.  

Non-Ladera Ranch residents will be able to buy tickets for $17/each.  According to Patterson, tickets must be purchased in advance and mailed to a Ladera Ranch address to qualify.  All children 8 and younger are admitted free and an unlimited access pass to the attractions at the Family Fun Zone will be available for $20 per child.

As more details become available, the will be posted at www.eventcomplete.com.