Wrong-Way Driver Triggers Fatal Fiery Crash On 405 Freeway

HAWTHORNE, CA — One person was killed early Tuesday in a fiery wrong-way crash that shut down the northbound 405 Freeway in Hawthorne for more than four hours.

The California Highway Patrol received reports at 12:49 a.m. of a black sedan traveling south at about 80 mph in the northbound lanes near Imperial Highway.

A collision was reported one minute later just south of Rosecrans Avenue, according to the CHP.

The crash left one vehicle in the HOV lane and another burning on the right shoulder. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, the CHP said.

Witnesses reported that at least five vehicles were blocking lanes after the collision, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Video from the scene showed extensive wreckage along the shoulder and at least two damaged vehicles on the roadside.

The CHP issued a Sigalert shortly after 1 a.m. and diverted northbound traffic off the freeway at Inglewood Avenue. Several lanes reopened at about 4 a.m., and the Sigalert was canceled shortly after 5 a.m.

Authorities had not released the identities of the person killed or the wrong-way driver as of Tuesday morning, Fox 11 reported. It was also unclear whether anyone else was injured or whether alcohol, drugs or a medical emergency contributed to the crash.

The collision remained under investigation.

City News Service contributed to this report.