Truck Driver Killed, 10 Hurt, In Fiery I-5 Multi-Vehicle Crash

A semi truck driver lost his life yesterday in a fiery multi-vehicle pileup involving three trucks and five passenger vehicles on I-5 in Los Angeles.

The crash happened just before 11 a.m. in the Griffith Park area. According to the California Highway Patrol, a truck hauling a cargo trailer traveling north on I-5 crossed over the median into the southbound lanes, where it collided with a a bulk liquid milk tanker truck. This caused a chain reaction crash that ultimately involved eight vehicles. The crash also caused a major explosion and heavy black smoke could be seen for miles.

By the time that fire fighters arrived on the scene, the tractors of both trucks were “heavily involved with fire,” according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The tractor of the tanker truck was destroyed by fire. Flames obliterated most of the northbound truck. Seventy-five fire fighters responded to the crash.

According to CHP, the driver in the northbound truck was killed in the crash. Ten others ranging in age from 22 to 71 were injured in the crash. One of the crash victims, a 27 year old woman, is listed in critical condition. A dog in one of the crashed trucks also died.

The crash shut down the Freeway for approximately eight hours, causing traffic backups up to five miles. All lanes reopened by 7 p.m.

It isn’t clear why the northbound truck lost control and crashed into southbound traffic. CHP is still investigating the crash.