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UPDATE 10:07 AM: New information has been made available about both crashes; our post has been updated from the original.
One intersecting area of Los Angeles freeways was the site of two separate overnight crashes that claimed two lives Monday. Both fatal incidents occurred where the Ventura (134) Freeway meets the Golden State (5) Freeway, and the victims both died at the scene.
The first incident was a multi-vehicle crash at around 12:05 a.m. on the southbound 5 Freeway at the 134 Freeway, according to City News Service. 25-year-old Jacob Richcter of Los Angeles pulled over on the left shoulder of the freeway when his vehicle became disabled after the collision. Richcter was killed when he tried to cross the freeway on foot and was struck by the 25-year-old driver of a 2010 Kia. That driver was not arrested or injured.
The second crash took place at around 2:30 a.m. and involved a rear-ending on the eastbound 134 at the connector to the southbound 5. A 2001 Honda Accord became disabled on the number two lane of the transition road from the eastbound 134 Freeway to the southbound 5 Freeway. A 22-year-old man driving a 2002 Ford Focus going 80 miles per hour ran into the Accord, sending the car and its driver off the road and down an embankment. That car burst into flames, killing its 25-year-old male occupant.
The driver of the Ford was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the CHP reported. His name was not immediately released.
Officers with the California Highway Patrol were already on scene investigating the prior crash, and were able to rush to the burning vehicle to attempt to rescue the driver. That driver, however, died at the scene. His name has been withheld pending notification of family.
Lanes in the area of the accidents were ultimately re-opened to traffic this morning just before 6 a.m.
