LOS ANGELES, CA – A driver died in a violent single-vehicle crash that left the car in flames near Los Angeles International Airport early Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The collision happened at about 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the intersection of Imperial Highway and North Nash Street in El Segundo, near LAX, the LAPD said. The department said the force of the impact caused the only vehicle involved to burst into flames.
The driver was the only person in the car and died at the scene. Authorities had not released the driver’s identity.
Fire erupts after impact
According to the LAPD, the crash involved a single vehicle. No other car was reported to be part of the collision.
The department said the force of the crash was what led the vehicle to catch fire. It did not describe how the car came to leave the roadway or what it struck.
The vehicle was fully burning after the collision, according to the LAPD’s account of the crash.
Firefighters dispatched at 5:08 a.m.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said firefighters and paramedics were dispatched at 5:08 a.m. to the 6000 block of West Imperial Highway.
Crews put out the fire. The LAFD said one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to initial reports, the response also included the LAPD West Traffic Division, the California Highway Patrol and LAX Police. The agencies had not released details of what each crew did at the scene.
Driver not identified
The LAPD said the driver was the only occupant of the vehicle. The department had not released the driver’s name, age or gender.
Authorities said it was not known whether impairment or speed played a part in the collision. No cause had been announced.
The driver’s identity had not been released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office or by any other agency as of Saturday.
Location near the airport
Imperial Highway and North Nash Street meet near LAX. The LAFD placed its response in the 6000 block of West Imperial Highway, while the LAPD described the crash scene by the cross street of North Nash Street.
No road closures or reopening times had been announced in the information available Saturday.
Agency handling the investigation
The available accounts differ on which department is leading the investigation. The LAPD described the crash, while initial reports indicated the El Segundo Police Department was handling the inquiry.
No agency had announced a finding on how the crash happened. No statement from city officials had been issued about the collision.
Investigation remains open
The driver’s identity, the cause of the crash and whether speed or impairment were factors had not been determined as of Saturday. No arrests were reported, because the driver was the only person involved.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department or the El Segundo Police Department.
