A fiery crash involving multiple vehicles left one person dead and shut down several lanes on the 5 Freeway through Boyle Heights Tuesday morning.
The crash was reported around 2:45 a.m. on the southbound side of the freeway just north of Indiana Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.
One car erupted in flames following the crash, which also involved a big rig and another vehicle on the southbound side of the freeway.
Video showed emergency crews at the scene dousing the burning car.
An unidentified person who was inside the car was pronounced dead at the scene, CHP Officer Gomez said.
A second person involved in the crash was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries and had already been released, Gomez said at 6 a.m.
No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the crash was under investigation but it appeared to begin with a solo vehicle running into the center divider and then careening into a second vehicle, Gomez said.
Both of those vehicles then struck the big rig.
A fourth vehicle became involved when debris hit a car traveling on the northbound side, Gomez said.
A man who lives nearby said he and his wife heard the collision.
“I hear like a big explosion. That’s what woke me up this morning,” Boyle Heights resident Josh Salas said.
A SigAlert was issued for the closure of four southbound lanes through the area just before 4 a.m.
Video showed traffic slowly moving on two open lanes shortly after 4 a.m. as a miles-long backup continued to build behind them.
The freeway was reopened around 7 a.m. but traffic through the area may still take a while to recover.
No arrests were immediately made in connection with the incident.