Three people were killed when a speeding minivan ran a red light triggering a three-vehicle crash in Panorama City, authorities said Saturday.
The crash was reported at 9:37 p.m. Friday at Terra Bella Street and Woodman Avenue, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im told City News Service.
A speeding westbound gray Plymouth minivan on Terra Bella Street failed to stop for a red light and struck a blue Ford Mustang and tan Honda Civic that were both going southbound on Woodman, according to an LAPD news release.
“Investigators believe the driver of the minivan was fleeing the scene of an unrelated collision prior to this crash,” police said. “Following the collision, the driver of the Honda Civic exited the vehicle and fled the scene, failing to stop, identify themselves, and render aid as required by law.”
Arriving paramedics pronounced the driver of the minivan, the driver of the Ford Mustang and a passenger inside the Mustang dead at the scene.
A man and a woman, both 20 years old, were pronounced dead in the Mustang and a 30-year-old man was pronounced dead in the minivan, according to spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A 35-year-old man was rushed to a hospital in critical condition by ambulance, Lantz said. Three other people involved in the crash declined treatment or transport to a hospital.
Video from the scene showed a blue Mustang against a light pole, a minivan crashed into parked cars and a sedan against the corner curb, with sheets covering victims in the blue Mustang.
Anyone with information regarding the crash was urged to call the LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8116 or 818-644-8020. Calls during non-business hours or on weekends can be directed to 877-527-3247.
Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.