Fiery wrong-way crash kills driver, closing most of southbound 101 in East Hollywood
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A driver traveling the wrong way on the 101 Freeway in East Hollywood was killed Monday morning when the vehicle crashed into two other cars and went up in flames. The fiery smash-up shut down much of the freeway during rush hour, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A red Toyota Prius was reported traveling north in the southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway about 4 a.m., CHP Officer Roberto Gomez said.
The Prius was going about 80 mph when it sideswiped a Honda sedan, then collided head-on with a pickup truck near the Santa Monica Boulevard exit, causing the Prius and the truck to burst into flames, according to Gomez.
A Jeep then crashed into the Prius and the truck, Gomez said.
More than 25% of pursuits by L.A. police lead to a death or an injury. Is it time to stop chasing drivers suspected of committing low-level crimes?
The driver of the Prius was pronounced dead at the scene. The person’s identity hasn’t been released. One other person was hospitalized in unknown condition, and two people suffered minor injuries.
Flying debris may have contributed to two other crashes that followed in the northbound lanes, Gomez said. One of the crashes was believed to have been caused by a driver being distracted by what was happening on the other side of the freeway.
All southbound lanes were closed during the investigation at Melrose Avenue, Gomez said.
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