3 Killed, 1 Critical After Car Slams Into Truck on 101

Three people were killed and a fourth critically injured in an early morning crash on the Ventura Freeway in Encino that may have been alcohol- and drug-related, authorities said.

A speeding Nissan Altima slammed into the rear of a slow-moving big rig on the eastbound 101, east of White Oak Avenue, about 1:50 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The car’s driver, a 23-year-old Canoga Park man, and two passengers--a 26-year-old Reseda man and a 17-year-old Van Nuys girl--were killed.

Their names were not released pending notification of relatives.

A passenger in the front seat, Mireya Tejeda, 21, of Sylmar, suffered major head injuries.

She was transported to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where she remained in the intensive-care unit on Saturday night, according to a hospital spokesman.

Tejeda and the driver were wearing seat belts, but the passengers in the back did not appear to be, the CHP said.

The truck driver, Floyd Walker Jr., 38, of Greenville, S.C., was not injured.

“They did find potential street drugs, controlled substances and are looking into possible alcohol use,” said CHP Officer S. Jenkins.

The truck was in the far right lane traveling less than 5 mph due to congestion caused by a previous crash.

The Nissan driver slammed on the brakes before crashing into the semitrailer, according to the CHP.

A light rain was falling at the time of the accident, according to the CHP.