Crash Kills Driver; 2 Others Injured

A 41-year-old Studio City man was killed Wednesday morning and his passenger injured when his pickup truck was slammed from behind and flipped many times on the westbound Ventura Freeway, authorities said.

The victim, whose identity was not released, suffered head and chest injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver whose car allegedly rammed into the truck, 28-year-old Tedorico Carmona of Long Beach, may face charges of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving, according to Officer Leland Tang of the CHP’s West Valley office.

The crash occurred shortly before 10 a.m. near the De Soto Avenue offramp. Witnesses said Carmona was maneuvering his car in and out of traffic at speeds estimated to be between 90 and 95 mph, authorities said.

“It did like eight flips,” said Juan Salcedo, who was driving an empty school bus. Salcedo grabbed a fire extinguisher on the bus and helped douse flames.

The passenger in the truck, 31-year-old Tihomir Todorov, and Carmona were both taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Todorov was listed in good condition and treated for upper body cuts and bruises.

Carmona suffered moderate injuries and was also listed in good condition.

Two lanes of traffic were closed for about an hour as CHP officers investigated the crash.

Police are seeking the driver of a blue Cadillac that may have been struck by Carmona’s car before the collision with the truck, Tang said.