A Fiery Fatal Crash Shut Down Part Of The 105 Freeway In Hawthorne

Two people have died in a violent crash on the 105 Freeway in the Hawthorne area in which a tanker truck overturned and exploded in flames.

The fuel tanker exploded about 5:15 a.m. Friday after colliding with a Range Rover that was blocking a lane on the westbound side of the freeway near the Crenshaw Boulevard exit, according to California Highway Patrol officials.

The drivers of both vehicles were killed, said Joey Marron, an inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The tanker fire spread to nearby brush, Marron added, but said firefighters were quickly able to put it out before it reached homes near the freeway.

All westbound lanes of the 105 were shut down as emergency crews let the fuel burn out and then mopped up. A crash investigation was also underway. Connections from the 110 and 405 freeways were also closed.

By evening, Caltrans officials were tweeting that they hoped to reopen all lanes by 7 p.m.

The crash and fire affected lines above the adjacent Metro Green Line, which has suspended service between the Hawthorne/Lennox and Vermont/Athens stations. Metro announced bus shuttles were running as an alternative.

This story is no longer being updated.

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