Driver dies in fiery Santa Monica freeway crash
The driver of a speeding vehicle was killed early Saturday when the vehicle crashed into a wall on the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica and burst into flames, authorities said.
The 2001 Ford Mustang was westbound on the freeway when the unidentified driver lost control and struck a metal guardrail, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Mustang then went up an embankment and hit the concrete wall before catching fire at about 1:35 a.m.
The car’s two other passengers exited the vehicle while the driver remained trapped inside, authorities said. A 2008 Audi was unable to avoid the Mustang and struck the burning car as well as another vehicle on the freeway.
The trapped driver of the Mustang was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The two passengers sustained minor to moderate injuries, with a 16-year-old suffering from cuts to his left hand and a 19-year-old with lacerations to his face.
The drivers of the two other vehicles didn’t suffer any injuries, authorities said. Alcohol is suspected to be a major factor in the collision pending toxicology results from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
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