Local News in Brief : 16 Hurt on I-5 in Burbank as Pickup Rear-Ends Stalled Van
Sixteen people were injured Friday on the Golden State Freeway in Burbank when a pickup truck smashed into the back of a stalled van, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The crash occurred in the northbound fast lane of the freeway about 11:20 a.m. when the van, carrying sales representatives to a convention, had engine trouble and came to a stop next to the freeway center divider near Olive Avenue.
CHP Officer Richard Vargas said the pickup was moving into the fast lane about 50 m.p.h. and was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the stalled van.
The driver of the pickup, Humberto Ramirez, 33, of Glendale, suffered major face and chest injuries and was in serious condition at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The collision compressed several rows of seats in the van, trapping 14 passengers and the driver, identified as Melvin Wright, 26, of Augusta, Ga., Vargas said.
Rescue workers used a hydraulic prying tool to free the victims, Burbank Fire Chief Stan Nelson said.
The van’s occupants were taken to Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Burbank Community Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center. By late Friday all had been treated and released, authorities said.
The van was registered to Chapel Sales of Collingswood, N. J., Vargas said.
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