A suspected hit-and-run driver was in custody Friday in connection with a fiery, four-vehicle crash on the westbound Pomona (60) Freeway in Whittier that left a man dead, authorities said.
Kaj Wendall Faaborg, 42, of La Puente was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and hit-and-run, and he was held on $100,000 bail, according to the California Highway Patrol and the sheriff’s department.
The crash occurred just west of the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway interchange about 10 p.m. Thursday, the CHP reported.
According to the CHP, Faaborg was driving a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck that rear-ended a 2004 Ford Mustang that had stopped “due to stopped traffic ahead.”
The Ford burst into flames, and its driver died at the scene, the CHP reported. His name was withheld, pending notification of next of kin.
The crash pushed the Ford into the rear of a Honda, which also caught fire. The Honda driver suffered major injuries. The Honda was pushed into the rear of a Toyota, whose two occupants suffered minor injuries, according to the CHP.
After the crash, Faaborg allegedly ran from the scene, but he was arrested a short time later, the CHP reported.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the CHP Santa Fe Springs Area office at 562-868-0503.