LOS ANGELES, CA – One person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash early Tuesday on the northbound 605 Freeway near the 91 Freeway interchange in Cerritos, according to initial reports, and video of the collision has since circulated publicly.
The crash was reported at about 12:47 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, on the northbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway just south of the Artesia (91) Freeway, according to preliminary information. Accounts of the exact time vary slightly, with some early reports placing it a few minutes earlier.
The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County firefighters responded. The California Highway Patrol had not released the victim’s identity or the cause of the collision in the information available Wednesday.
The person who died has not been publicly identified. Officials have also not said which vehicle the person was in.
Firefighters extricate trapped person
According to initial reports, the tow truck driver arrived before emergency crews and found three vehicles involved in a collision, with people reportedly trapped inside.
Los Angeles County firefighters located a person trapped in one of the vehicles and began an extrication. The Los Angeles County Fire Department serves Cerritos.
The trapped person was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial reports place the fatality determination at about 1:01 a.m.
Northbound lanes closed for hours
A SigAlert was issued for the northbound 605 south of the 91 Freeway. The number 1, 2 and 3 lanes, along with the carpool lane, were blocked at the height of the response.
According to initial reports, a full closure of the northbound freeway was requested at about 1:26 a.m. Another report said the closure extended north of South Street during the fatality investigation.
All northbound lanes were reopened by 4:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Cause of the crash remains unclear
Officials have not said what led to the original collision or to the second crash that followed. It also remains unclear whether the stopped vehicles were displaying warning lights when the SUV approached.
The CHP has not announced an arrest or citation in connection with the crash. It has not said whether the driver of the SUV was injured or what role speed, visibility or driver condition may have played.
No suspect description or charging information has been released. The agency typically investigates fatal freeway collisions on its own, and any findings would be released by the CHP.
Medical Examiner determines cause and manner of death
Deaths in traffic collisions are generally reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, which is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death. The department operates independently of law enforcement agencies.
The Medical Examiner typically identifies the person who died and notifies next of kin before a name is made public. In this case, no name had been released in the information available Wednesday.
California law on stopped vehicles with flashing lights
California’s Move Over law requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles that are displaying flashing lights to change lanes when it is safe to do so, or otherwise slow to a reasonable speed. Officials have not stated whether the law relates to this crash.
Any determination of fault would come from the CHP’s investigation and, if the evidence warrants, from prosecutors or the courts. Nothing in the information released so far establishes who was at fault.
Information sought from witnesses
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol. Drivers who may have recorded the freeway before or during the collision can also share what they saw with investigators.
The 605 and 91 freeways meet in Cerritos, a major interchange area in southeastern Los Angeles County. Officials have not reported any additional closures related to the crash since the lanes reopened Tuesday morning.
Investigation remains active
The CHP investigation into the collision is continuing, and the cause has not been determined. The identity of the person who died is pending release through the Medical Examiner’s process, and no arrest has been announced.
