Fatal Crash Into Construction Bridge Shuts Down NB 5 Freeway In East LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — California Highway Patrol is trying to figure out what caused a driver Saturday to slam into a bridge under construction on the 5 Freeway, at the 710 Freeway interchange, in East Los Angeles.
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The motorist was killed and a passenger injured around 2 a.m. when the Dodge Magnum they were traveling in careened into the bridge, sending heavy pieces of the structure toppling onto the vehicle.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The L.A. County Coroner's Office later identified him as 34-year-old Jose Antonio Garcia, of Compton.
It was unclear if the driver was killed from the impact of the car or the weight of objects that came down on the vehicle.
The passenger, a 23-year-old L.A. man, was transported to a hospital with moderate injuries.
Officials have not said how the debris managed to dislodge from the bridge.
The northbound 5 Freeway was closed at Atlantic Boulevard as crews checked the integrity of the bridge.
CHP expected the northbound lanes to be closed until about 9 p.m. Saturday but all lanes were open about an hour earlier.
The northbound 710 was reopened about 4 p.m.