Driver Dies, Four Hurt in 3-Car Freeway Crash

A man died early Sunday and four others were injured when three cars collided on Interstate 5 in Mission Viejo, officials said.

The accident occurred about 4:30 a.m. in the southbound lanes at Alicia Parkway, a California Highway Patrol official said.

The collision sparked a fire in the car driven by the man who died, police said. Fire crews arrived quickly but the car was fully engulfed.

The man was trapped inside and died at the scene, police said.

His identity has not been released pending notification of relatives. Four other people suffered minor to moderate injuries.

Three lanes of the freeway were closed for about five hours as crews cleaned up and police gathered evidence.

The cause of the crash is being investigated.