3 Dead, 1 Hurt in Head-On Collision in Silver Lake, Police Say

Three people were killed and one was left comatose in a fiery head-on collision early Monday in Silver Lake, authorities said.

A 19-year-old Glendale man allegedly was speeding in a 2000 Honda Accord when he lost control in a slight bend of the 2300 block of North Silver Lake Boulevard near Earl Street.

The driver crossed into the path of a southbound 1997 Mercury Tracer, which rolled over at least twice and burst into flames, around 2:20 a.m., authorities said.

The driver of the Mercury, a 47-year-old Los Angeles man, was killed, along with his passenger, a 53-year-old man from Cypress.

Also dead was a 23-year-old Glendale man who was riding in the Honda.

“The only one alive right now is the driver, who lost control at a high rate of speed,” said Los Angeles Police Officer Grace Brady.

Rescue workers used a “jaws of life” tool to free the four victims from the wreckage, said Brian Humphrey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Their names were being withheld pending notification of relatives.

“This is horrible,” Brady said. “This driver just crossed over and hit the other car.”

The cause of the crash is under investigation, Brady said.

“It’s an ongoing investigation, and detectives say alcohol is a possible factor,” said LAPD Officer Lucy Diaz.