KRON 4 reports that six people have died, and eight more are said to have been injured at a gas station in La Brea on Thursday, August 4.
A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol told reporters that the crash happened at approximately 1:40 p.m. at the intersection of South La Brea Avenue and Slauson Avenue when the driver of a dark-colored Mercedes sedan sped through a red light traveling at a high rate of speed and struck two other vehicles.
The force of the impact sent the two vehicles in the intersection into a gas station, causing a fiery explosion. According to eyewitness accounts, the crash and explosion sent debris flying in all directions.
Among those killed were a pregnant woman, her 13-month-old infant, and a 15-year-old.
“We have a total of six to seven vehicles involved, at minimum, at this time,” CHP spokesperson Franco Pepsi told reporters. “Three became engulfed in flames.”
A later report via CBS News indicated that several people were ejected from the vehicles involved either from the initial crash or the explosion.
The 40-year-old female driver of the Mercedes was transported to an area hospital with major injuries.
Others who were hurt in the crash suffered injuries ranging from minor to critical.
The crash is still currently under investigation. While speed was a factor in the fatal crash, drug and/or alcohol intoxication has not been ruled out.
