2 Killed in Freeway Crashes Are Identified
The California Highway Patrol identified two people Tuesday who died in separate accidents on San Fernando Valley freeways.
Jose Luis Morales, 39, of Panorama City, died after his motorcycle rear-ended a car Monday on the northbound San Diego Freeway, said CHP Officer Karen Faciane. The accident occurred about 5:20 p.m. south of Burbank Boulevard.
Morales was pronounced dead at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.
Rachel Katzman, 43, of Encino, was killed Monday on the eastbound Ventura Freeway after losing control of her sport utility vehicle, which slid down an embankment and crashed into a large tree, Faciane said.
Just before Katzman crashed, her vehicle may have been struck by a truck that traveled across several lanes of the freeway and crashed into a pole, authorities said. The truck driver suffered minor injuries, CHP officials said.
The accident occurred about 8:55 p.m. near the Topanga Canyon Boulevard exit, authorities said.
Katzman, who authorities believe was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene, Faciane said.
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