Passenger Killed in 4-Car Crash in Sepulveda; Driver Arrested

A four-car collision in Sepulveda left one man dead and another in jail on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, police said.

The accident occurred about 9:30 p.m. Friday at Nordhoff Street and Woodley Avenue when a car driven by Carlos Vasquez, 23, of Van Nuys rear-ended a second car traveling east on Nordhoff. The Vasquez car and the second vehicle struck a third car that was also eastbound on Nordhoff, said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Bob Farkas.

The Vasquez car hit the curb and a light standard, Farkas said. Killed was passenger Raul Vasquez, 21, of Panorama City, who struck his head on the light post, was thrown from the car to the pavement and was run over by the car as it careened back into the street.

Farkas said Carlos Vasquez attempted to leave the scene but he stopped or his car died a short distance away. A group of bystanders held him until police arrived.

Farkas said he did not know if the driver and passenger were related.

Carlos Vasquez was treated and released from Holy Cross Medical Center and taken to Van Nuys Jail. No other injuries were reported. Police were seeking a driver who left the scene before officers arrived, Farkas said.