Truck-Car Crash Shuts Down Part of Freeway

A collision involving a tractor-trailer truck and a car completely shut down southbound lanes of the Golden State Freeway near Hungry Valley for more than an hour Thursday, the California Highway Patrol said.

The wreck occurred about 7:55 p.m. when the driver of a car traveling about 90 m.p.h. lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the side of the truck, which careened into the center divider and jack-knifed across the freeway, said CHP Officer John Grindey.

The truck’s driver, John Lefler, 49, of West Covina was not injured, Grindey said. The car’s driver, Julie Beijer, 18, of Simi Valley and her passengers, Katherine Gonzalez, 21, of North Hollywood and Melody Scott, 21, of Hollywood, were all transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Medical Center with minor injuries, he said.

Some cars were allowed to drive past the wreck on the shoulder about 25 minutes after the wreck and by 9:30 p.m. two lanes were cleared, Grindey said.