Last Updated on August 4, 2022 by C-CAR
Six people — including three adults, an infant and an unborn child died — and eight other people were injured Thursday, Aug. 4, in a fiery multi-vehicle crash in the Windsor Hills area of Los Angeles.
Update: Woman arrested after Windsor Hills collision that killed 6, injured 8
Los Angeles County Fire Department units were called to the area of South La Brea Avenue and Slauson Avenue, an unincorporated area of Los Angeles, just before 1:40 p.m., near Ladera Park.
Initially reported as a fire, officials discovered as many as six vehicles had collided.
Police officers remain on scene in the deadly aftermath of a multi vehicle crash at W Slauson Ave. & S La Brea Ave. that resulted in the deaths of 3 adults, an infant and an unborn child. The intersection is currently closed to cars and pedestrians. pic.twitter.com/enlLmAzfN4
— Clara Harter (@_ClaraHarter) August 5, 2022
A Mercedes-Benz was seen speeding southbound on South La Brea Avenue and reportedly ran a red light at the intersection, resulting in the fire, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The fire department and the California Highway Patrol reported three adults, one infant and one fetus died in the collision, and that there were multiple ejections due to the crash.
The CHP reported a sixth victim was later found dead in the burned wreckage of one vehicle, though further information was not immediately available.
At least eight other people were injured in the crash, although the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.
Surveillance video obtained by RMG News shows the violent crash that left 5 dead in #WindsorHills, LaBrea & Slauson. @NBCLA @AlexNBCLA @LaurenmCoronado @RMGNews pic.twitter.com/oqniZ3E0Qp
— Rosa Valle-Lopez (@RosaNBCLA) August 4, 2022
Veronica Esquivel, 40, was about to pump gas at a nearby gas station when the crash took place, setting off panic and screams among those nearby. She said she could see the fire from the station.
“I just immediately thought explosion. I saw things flying in the air. So I kind of ducked,” Esquivel said.
Some suggested that the configuration of the busy intersection was inherently dangerous for drivers.
“You have three hills going downhill converging in one intersection, so it’s inherently dangerous,” said Celsia Martin, 31, who lives around five minutes from the site of the accident. The intersection is almost always busy with three lanes of traffic in each direction, said Martin. “It’s just a lot to pay attention to, it’s a lot that could go wrong, and something definitely went wrong.”
I’m talking to a few residents familiar with the area. pic.twitter.com/SrwbXUJycP
— Brennon Dixson (@TheBrennonD) August 5, 2022
About six hours after the accident, an eerie quiet hung over the normally bustling intersection. Access was closed to pedestrians in all four directions as police officers remained on site and car debris was gradually cleared.
The shell of a burnt Mercedes sat on a corner, as residents gathered at the edge of police tape soberly discussing the day’s events.
The cause of the collision was under investigation, and the intersection of South La Brea Avenue and Slauson Avenue was closed for an unknown duration.
This is a developing story, check back for more information.
