5 killed, 9 injured in fiery crash as car runs light, slams into cross traffic in Windsor Hills
Source: ABC 7
WINDSOR HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Five people were killed and nine others were injured in a violent, fiery crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday in Windsor Hills, officials say.
The crash was caused by a Mercedes coupe that was speeding south on La Brea Avenue and ran a red light, slamming into several cars at Slauson Avenue around 1:30 p.m., according to the CHP.
Surveillance video from a nearby business shows cross traffic on Slauson moving west through the intersection as the Mercedes speeds into the frame at full velocity, with no indication it slowed down at all before slamming into multiple vehicles. Flames immediately break out as the mangled vehicles are still skidding through the intersection, coming to a halt in front of a gas station.
At least six vehicles were involved in the crash and three of them burst into flames after the impact.
Read more: https://abc7.com/windsor-hills-crash-fatal-accident-collision-car-fire/12099084/
sinkingfeeling
(51,279 posts)risking not only their own life, but the lives of many.
C Moon
(12,188 posts)It looks like it had been red for some time.
Maybe the comment below is correct: she was suicidal.
Skittles
(152,967 posts)to try to take yourself out like that
OAITW r.2.0
(23,862 posts)LogicFirst
(571 posts)But every time I am on the road, I see one or more red light runners.
intrepidity
(7,241 posts)Horrific accident.
Demovictory9
(32,324 posts)dalton99a
(81,073 posts)sdfernando
(4,897 posts)but what I find even more horrific than that is how people just go about their business, drive on and around. I don't see anyone getting out of their cars to see if they could render any help. Witnesses are just leaving the scene.
JI7
(89,182 posts)there trying to help. The fact is in the moments right after People weren't sure what had happened. One person they interviewed said they thought it was a bomb.
It even took a while for people to realize how many cars were involved.
LudwigPastorius
(8,944 posts)take others with them.
That wasn't someone who was trying to beat a red light. That was someone who wanted to die.
LonePirate
(13,386 posts)Is it possible the car's brakes failed? I'm just speculating as I don't know. I heard the driver of the speeding car was somehow uninjured in the crash so it was a failed suicide attempt. It's still a horrible situation one way or the other.
LudwigPastorius
(8,944 posts)I don't know that coasting down it would produce the speed she was going though.
Brake failure is a possibility. That would have to have also involved her brake lights, because they never came on as she sped toward the intersection.
LonePirate
(13,386 posts)Thank you for the detail I had not noticed.
Mr. Evil
(2,749 posts)mounted on the brake pedal arm just above the pedal. Even if the brakes failed the brake lights would still illuminate when the brake pedal has been pushed. It is an electrical function separate from the braking system. So, if the brake lights didn't illuminate the brake pedal was not pushed.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,789 posts)Withywindle
(9,988 posts)I guess it's irresponsible to speculate, but then I'm not an official involved with this in any way or media, so...that looks like someone who wants to die and take people out with them.
alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Probably DUI or something.
Put he away for life.
She is as dangerous as if she strolled into that intersection with a machete.
Upthevibe
(7,884 posts)I'm in that area on those very streets at least once a week.
That's horrible. Sometimes I feel like we're all hangin' by a thread...... It's being at the wrong place at the wrong time....
Demovictory9
(32,324 posts)Could happen anywhere
C Moon
(12,188 posts)because that car went up in flames instantly.
My first thought was that she was being chased. Why would someone drive like that toward a busy intersection?
elias7
(3,976 posts)Im thinking the black Mercedes did not catch on fire with a frontal collision, and that she was not thrown from the vehicle (which would have certainly caused immediate death). The only way she could have survived was seatbelts/airbags.
Doesnt make sense she was being chased as she just plunged right into traffic. Either fell asleep, texting, or death wish, IMO
C Moon
(12,188 posts)I heard someone say that some people were thrown from a vehicle...I think it was the CHP.
chowder66
(9,011 posts)The driver had been in a fight with her boyfriend and had been drinking.
The devastation she caused is unbelievable.
LudwigPastorius
(8,944 posts)I think she'll be charged with murder.
BigmanPigman
(51,432 posts)She was in an accident today and they think she was drunk but they can't test for it in her condition for some reason.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11085985/Actress-Anne-Heche-gets-wild-crash-LA-drove-blue-Mini-Cooper-garage.html
chowder66
(9,011 posts)is something in her treatment that would cause a bad interaction.
LudwigPastorius
(8,944 posts)to draw and test the blood of someone who was in an accident and suspected of drunk driving. No warrant or consent required.
I'm speculating, but, in a burn victim's case, I imagine that they are immediately given transfusions as fluid/blood loss is a major concern. This would probably result in a diluted, or legally meaningless, blood alcohol level reading. Smoke inhalation/lung damage might also preclude using a breathalyzer.