At least nine people have been injured and one person has died after a major accident on the 5 freeway near Los Angeles this morning. Four vehicles were involved in a wreck that sparked a massive fire as debris scattered across the northbound freeway lanes near Colorado Boulevard. The raging fire was quickly extinguished by responding fire crews.
L.A. Fire officials say at least one person is in critical condition while eight other people suffered lesser injuries. One person died at the scene.
Witnesses say that a pickup truck going northbound on the freeway lost control, crashing into another vehicle that crossed over the center divide. The vehicle then either collided with, or caused a southbound big rig to crash and catch fire according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Two big rigs were involved in the wreck on the southbound side of the freeway, with two other vehicles including one that was wedged under one of the big rigs.
It wasn't immediately known which vehicle the person who died was in.
All southbound lanes near Colorado Boulevard are closed and northbound lanes are frozen as well. Authorities are working to get cars off the freeway.