Big-Rig Driver Is Sought in Fatal I-5 Crash
Authorities were searching for the driver of a tractor-trailer who they said fled the scene of a deadly crash Thursday on Interstate 5 in Gorman.
The accident, involving the tractor-trailer and a pickup truck stalled in a northbound lane, occurred about 2:30 p.m. at the northernmost tip of Los Angeles County, authorities said.
The tractor-trailer struck the pickup from behind, causing the smaller vehicle to roll, California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Ramirez said. Both people in the pickup were killed. Their identities have not been released.
Authorities said the driver of the tractor-trailer drove to the nearby California 138 exit and traveled about a mile before his truck caught fire. The driver then ran away.
During their investigation, authorities closed one lane of the freeway, along with the connector road to California 138.
The freeway deaths were the first reported in Los Angeles County for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Statewide, five traffic deaths were reported between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, compared with six for the same period last year, the CHP said.
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