SigAlert Issued Following Fiery Multi-Vehicle Collision in Sepulveda Pass
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 30, 2018) – A fiery big rig collision on 405 Freeway near Mulholland Drive injured four people, including two who are still in critical condition, on Monday afternoon.
According to the California Highway Patrol, they received reports about a crash at 2:49 PM. A big rig was heading northbound in the Sepulveda Pass when it overturned on top of a silver Mitsubishi and slammed into the center divider. The Mitsubishi got pinned under the truck, trapping the driver inside the vehicle.
Meanwhile, the concrete and gravel carried by the big rig spilled onto the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway. The collision reportedly sparked a fire that started to engulf both vehicles in flames.
Upon seeing the fiery wreck, good Samaritans started to leave their vehicles to help rescue the trapped driver. Andre Yanez, one of the people who offered to aid in the rescue, stated that the spilled concrete connected by rebar made the retrieval challenging as it blocked the driver’s side.
People tried to reach out for anything that could help minimize the flames, such as bottled water, dirt, and fire extinguishers. Some of them rushed to find tools that could help free the Mitsubishi driver. A saw was used to cut the rebar, and Yanez and one other grabbed the trapped man by his arms to pull him out of the window. CHP officers applauded the bravery of the people who helped rescue the Mitsubishi driver.
The man sustained burns up to 80 percent of his body and is currently in the hospital for treatment. Three other people were hospitalized, including the truck driver and a motorist who suffered a broken arm. As of the moment, there are no updates regarding the victims’ conditions, but all of them are expected to survive.
Multiple lanes were shut down, and it caused for the traffic to back up for miles. The southbound side of 405 Freeway and at least three northbound lanes were closed for investigation and cleaning. At around 12:15 AM, the SigAlert was canceled and all lanes were reopened. The fiery crash is still under investigation at this time. The truck driver claimed that a vehicle, which is not involved in the collision, suddenly cut him off.
When driving on a highway, always pay attention to your surroundings for fellow motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other cars that are sharing the road. By obeying traffic rules, dangerous accidents can be prevented.
If you or a loved one was injured on the road due to a negligent or irresponsible driver, contact the personal injury lawyers at Sweet Law Group. We have over 40 years of experience in the field, and know what it takes to win your case and achieve the justice and compensation that you deserve. Call (800) 203-3061 and arrange a free initial meeting with an experienced legal professional in your area. We are also available to clients through email, text message, and online chat.
