Woman killed in "horrific" multivehicle crash on L.A. freeway

LOS ANGELES -- Authorities say a woman has been killed in a fiery multivehicle collision on Interstate 405 in Los Angeles that scorched three vehicles and briefly shut down the freeway during rush hour.

California Highway Patrol Officer Leland Tang says the chain-reaction crash occurred Friday morning in southbound lanes near North Hills.

One person has been hospitalized with minor to moderate injuries.

The woman who died has not been identified.

Three completely burned vehicles are wedged up against the freeway divider. Two other vehicles nearby were also involved.

The CHP briefly shut down all lanes in both directions while crews extinguished the fire.

All northbound lanes are moving again. Officials have opened one lane on the southbound side.

Robert Angelo told CBS Radio station KNX 1070 that he was driving just a few feet away in the carpool lane moments after the crash.

"It was still popping and sizzling and going off all around us," Angelo said. "It just looked horrific."