Man Killed in Crash on Freeway

One man was killed and his passenger was critically injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on the southbound Hollywood Freeway.

The crash occurred about noon just south of the Roscoe Boulevard exit, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

Witnesses said Juan Alcocer, 22, of North Hollywood was driving at a high speed when he lost control of his vehicle and skidded across three lanes of traffic, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Shirley Gaines.

Alcocer’s car came to a stop after striking another car traveling in the car pool lane, Gaines said. A 27-year-old woman in the second car was injured in the crash. She was treated and released from Pacifica Hospital of the Valley, a hospital official said.

Three lanes of traffic were blocked until 1:30 p.m. as firefighters worked to remove the men from their car.

Alcocer died of massive internal injuries at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, according to Gaines.

The passenger, a 23-year-old Pacoima man whose name was not released, was in critical condition at Providence Holy Cross Hospital, a nursing supervisor said.