San Fernando Valley : Crash Sparks 450-Acre Brush Fire
Two people were pulled from a burning car seconds before it burst into flames Friday morning after a crash north of Castaic that sparked a 450-acre brush fire and closed the Golden State Freeway for several hours.
Northbound traffic came to a virtual standstill for more than four hours as CHP officers were forced to alternately close part or all of the freeway so firefighters could battle the fire.
Three people involved in the accident were hospitalized, including the two rescued from the burning car.
About 11:50 a.m., a car driven by Efren Diaz Sr., 68, of Fresno, broke down on the freeway, said Sheriff’s Deputy Victor Lewandowski.
Diaz’s car was then rammed by a pickup truck, trapping Diaz and his wife, Marina, 28, inside.
“Immediately after impact, the car caught fire,” said Lewandowski, who witnessed the collision.
Both Efren and Marina Diaz were pulled through the driver’s window because the door was stuck and flames had spread through the passenger’s side, said Robby Pratt, an off-duty firefighter who helped in the rescue.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
