LOS ANGELES: At least one person was killed and nine others were injured in a fiery multi-vehicle crash in Los Angeles that shut down the 5 Freeway for more than four hours along Griffith Park Tuesday, firefighters said.
The collision, which involved a big rig and tanker truck near Colorado Street, forced the closure of the southbound lanes, with traffic reduced to two lanes on the northbound side.
About 11 a.m., one of the big rigs jumped the center divider and caused the crash and fire that followed, CHP officials said. That freeway remained closed as the evening commute got underway.
A triage area was set up just north of the wreck. One of the victims was taken to the hospital in critical condition and eight others suffered “lesser” injuries, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. A dog was also found dead at the scene.
Firefighters were checking on conflicting witness reports of one person who was unaccounted for.
Aerial footaged showed firefighters dousing a big rig trailer destroyed by flames. A tanker truck, van, pickup truck and two other vehicles were also involved in the crash.
