VAN NUYS : Driver Killed, 1 Hurt in Multiple Collision

A motorist was killed in Van Nuys after his speeding car slammed into a parked car and spun out of control, hitting two other vehicles and sending a second driver to the hospital, Los Angeles police said.

Javier Gonzalez, 23, of Van Nuys was driving south on Woodman Avenue near Valerio Street about 11:50 p.m. Saturday when his vehicle sideswiped a parked car and careened into oncoming traffic, Officer Frank Zdroy said.

As it spun across the road, Gonzalez’s car was struck broadside by a northbound car driven by Hamik Lementsyan, 43, of Van Nuys. The impact from that crash knocked Gonzalez’s car into yet another parked car.

Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Lementsyan was taken by ambulance to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Sunday.

Witnesses told police that Gonzalez appeared to be driving as fast as 80 m.p.h. before the initial crash. Zdroy said the speed limit in the area is 35 m.p.h.