Flurry of midday commute-killing freeway closures hits L.A., O.C.

A flurry of crashes and other incidents Wednesday caused a series of temporary midday freeway closures across the Los Angeles region, ensnaring drivers well before the evening rush-hour commute.

In Chino, a crash involving several big rigs and a car forced the temporary closure of the eastbound 60 Freeway shortly after noon.

At least one person was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital, said California Highway Patrol Officer Devon Boatman. Their condition was not immediately known. It was unknown if there were other injuries.

At roughly the same time in Orange County, a police pursuit ended with a multivehicle crash in Santa Ana on the 5 Freeway, prompting the closure of three northbound lanes as crews cleared the wreckage.

The chase began in Laguna Hills at about 11 a.m. as four alleged burglars attempted to get away from police in an Audi SUV. They were arrested after crashing near the Westfield MainPlace mall, KTLA reported.

Not long after that, the CHP closed the southbound 110 Freeway near Exposition Boulevard after a BMW became fully engulfed in fire, according to an incident log. No injuries were reported.

As officials were clearing that scene, police activity -- reportedly someone threatening to jump from an overpass -- prompted the brief closure of the northbound 110 near Adams Boulevard.