Five people injured, including two children, during three-car crash in Westlake

Five people were injured, including two children, in a three-car collision in Westlake on Friday. 

Three of the injured people were taken to nearby hospitals in critical condition, according to Los Angeles Fire Department. 

The circumstances leading up the crash remain unclear, though first responders were dispatched to the 100 block of N. Alvarado Street at around 2:45 p.m. after learning of the incident. 

One of the other victims in the crash declined to be taken to the hospital for treatment and the fifth reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived, according to LAFD. 

They are still searching for that fifth person.

No further information was provided by authorities.