Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Driver Ejected Onto 5 Freeway Sign After Fatal Crash
A man's body landed on a 5 Freeway sign after he was ejected from his car during a fatal crash.
Around 7 a.m. on Friday, a Ford Focus was seen driving at high speeds on the southbound side of the 5 Freeway near Glendale, when the car crashed into another car carrying three passengers, reports ABC 7. The Focus then rolled multiple times, during which the body of the driver was ejected from the car and catapulted up onto the platform of the freeway sign for the Colorado Street exit.
Man, 20, is ejected from vehicle, lands on 5 fwy sign following deadly crash https://t.co/bu568uc7Nh pic.twitter.com/qBVIYCqoy5
— KTLA (@KTLA) October 30, 2015
California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed that the driver—who has not yet been identified—died at the scene. CHP said the driver was not wearing a seat belt. The body of the victim, covered in a white sheet, remained on the sign's platform as of 9 a.m., reports KTLA.
Support for LAist comes from
Two lanes of the southbound 5 were closed as authorities investigated the scene.
Update, 2:00 p.m.: The victim has been identified as Richard Pananian of Burbank, according to KTLA. No further information has been released about the passengers of the other vehicle that was involved in the collision. Original reports suggested the vehicle was Toyota Prius, but was later identified as a Ford Focus.
Update, 4:45 p.m. A witness said they saw Pananian passing other cars on the right shoulder of the freeway before the crash, KTLA reports. A witness told CHP that they saw the car moving at a high speed on the right shoulder, passing several cars. Pananian veered left from the shoulder and hit the back of the other vehicle before veering right and losing control of the car.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist