Second driver sought in fatal crash

Authorities are searching for the driver of a car that was involved in a fatal collision on the Interstate-5 in Burbank early Tuesday morning.

Ernesto Lopez, 25, of Sunland, died after a vehicle collided with his Honda Pilot about 2:35 a.m. Tuesday morning on the southbound I-5 near Scott Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Lopez veered to the right when a blue pickup truck merged into his lane, sending the SUV down an embankment before hitting a tree, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ming-Yang Hsu.

Burbank firefighters pronounced him dead at the scene.

The men were headed home from work and there were no signs Ernesto Lopez was intoxicated, Hsu added.

His passengers, Jose Lopez, 21, and Guadalupe Vasquez, 25 — also of Sunland — were taken to USC-Los Angeles County Medical Center for moderate injuries, Hsu said.

Both passengers suffered bruises to their lungs and Jose Lopez, the brother of the driver, suffered rib and clavicle fractures. Vasquez was being treated for a fractured, separated shoulder, Hsu said.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying the driver of the second vehicle, which witnesses described as a blue pickup truck with damage to its right side. Anyone with information may call the CHP Altadena office at (626) 296-8100 during normal business hours, or (323) 982-4900 after hours.