Alcohol, drugs not a factor in fatal Pasadena Freeway crash

Alcohol and drugs were not a factor in a freeway traffic collision in Highland Park that led to the death of a 1-year-old girl, authorities said Saturday as they continued an investigation into the incident, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The accident occurred about 5:30 p.m. during rush hour on Friday on the southbound side of the 110 Freeway, north of York Boulevard.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Leiana Ramirez was in a car seat inside a 2002 Nissan Altima, which had stopped in the No. 3 lane “due to the front passenger side tire possibly being flat.” A 1999 GMC Yukon SUV rear-ended the Nissan, which caught fire and eventually became fully engulfed in flames, CHP officials said.

Leiana became trapped in the car. Witnesses, including a woman believed to be the Leiana’s mother, tried to free the girl but they were “overcome by the fire,” CHP officials said.

The woman, age 30, suffered second-degree burns to both arms, authorities said. The 22-year-old driver of the GMC sustained third-degree burns to both arms and was taken to hospital. A passenger in his car, also age 22, suffered minor injuries, including pain to the left shoulder, according to the CHP. LA NOW