Driver Killed In Fiery Wreck On 60 Freeway In Hacienda Heights Despite 'Heroic' Efforts Of Good Samaritan
HACIENDA HEIGHTS (CBSLA) – One driver was killed and a second injured in a fiery crash on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights Thursday morning that may have been caused by speeding.
The two-car crash occurred just after 5:30 a.m. on the eastbound 60 Freeway at Hacienda Boulevard, according to California Highway Patrol.
An Infiniti rear-ended a Toyota Camry with such strong force that the two cars traveled about 100 yards before slamming into a wall.
The driver of the Camry died at the scene, while the driver of the Infiniti was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the fire department said. No names were released.
A good Samaritan stopped and tried to save the Camry's driver, CHP Officer Marcos Iniguez told CBSLA.
"He tried to save the drivers life in the Toyota Camry by trying to break the window from the driver's side out," Iniguez said.
"It's just extremely heroic that he tried everything he could up until the very last second," he added.
Other drivers then stopped and brought out fire extinguishers, but could not reach the Camry's driver.
"At some point the engine compartment of that Toyota Camry started popping, and so he had to back away, and, unfortunately, he witnessed the driver perish," Iniguez said.
Aerial footage from Sky2 showed the Camry engulfed in flames, with L.A. County firefighters working to extinguish the blaze.
CHP is investigating whether a third vehicle was involved in causing the wreck and whether the Infiniti was speeding.
A Sig Alert was issued and several eastbound lanes were still closed as of 10:30 a.m. Drivers were advised to avoid the area.