Two people were killed Monday in a fiery crash on the transition road from the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway to the Garden Grove (22) Freeway in Orange.
A 2006 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on the 55 Freeway north of the 22 Freeway just before 2 a.m. when the driver lost control of the truck, which veered to the right and left the road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Silverado slammed into a metal guardrail and wood posts west of the road’s edge, then collided with a metal light pole on the dirt shoulder and went airborne, overturning and landing on the northbound 55 transition to the westbound 22. The Silverado finally stopped, upright, on a dirt embankment and then erupted in flames, according to the CHP.
Three other passing cars slammed into the metal light pole that fell into traffic lanes after it was struck by the Silverado, the CHP reported. No one in those vehicles was injured.
Two good Samaritans jumped out of their vehicles and pulled the passenger out of the Silverado, according to the CHP.
The Silverado’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:46 a.m., and his passenger died at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana. Their names were not immediately released.
— City News Service