A multi-vehicle crash on the Ventura (134) Freeway in Glendale today left one man dead and another one suffering from major injuries, the California Highway Patrol said.
The crash temporarily shut down all westbound lanes, and occurred just before 12:30 a.m. on the westbound 134 Freeway near Pacific Avenue, said CHP Officer Patrick Kimball.
CHP officers said a 2001 silver Honda CR-V driven by a 50-year-old West Hollywood man broke down in the left lane, where his car was rear-ended by a 2005 Toyota Solara driven by a 42-year-old North Hollywood man.
The driver in the Honda suffered major injuries and his car sustained major rear damage. But the Solara’s driver got out of his crashed car and was apparently in the carpool lane when he was hit by a 2011 Lexus, driven by a 20-year-old Van Nuys man.
A fourth vehicle also struck the unlucky Toyota motorist. That vehicle fled the scene and has not been located.
The driver of the Toyota, a 42-year-old North Hollywood man, died at the scene, according to a department statement. His name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The motorist in the 2001 Honda, a 50-year-old West Hollywood man, suffered major injuries, according to the CHP.
Wreckage from the fatal collision was spread over the freeway and shut down all westbound lanes, Kimball said.
The CHP declared a SigAlert at 12:43 a.m. The freeway was cleared and the SigAlert cancelled at 2:57 a.m., Kimball said.
The crash remained under investigation by the CHP. Officers asked anyone who saw the crash to call them at (626) 298-8100.
