Teen boy killed in fiery crash on the 710 Freeway in Long Beach
A 15-year-old boy died, and three other teens were injured in a fiery crash on the 710 Freeway in Long Beach Monday night.
Before the crash, officers got a report of a stolen Kia Optima around 10 p.m. in the 100 block of Jaymills Avenue, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Officers along with LBPD's helicopter responded to the area and attempted to track the vehicle before the driver left the area.
The stolen Kia crashed into a semi-truck on the 710 Freeway near Anaheim Street around 10:25 p.m. and caught on fire, according to the California Highway Patrol. No police vehicles were in pursuit of the Kia when it crashed.
Officers at the scene quickly pulled four occupants from the vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. All four were taken to a local hospital for their injuries.
According to the CHP investigators, the 2020 Kia was being driven by a 15-year-old Long Beach boy, who died at a hospital. His name has not been released.
The three other occupants of the stolen vehicle, two girls ages 13 and 15 from Long Beach, and a 14-year-old boy from Los Angeles, are being treated at the hospital for moderate injuries.
The driver of the big rig, 22-year-old Alvaro Patino from Paramount, was not injured, the CHP reported.
The investigation revealed that the 15-year-old boy driving the stolen Kia took a sharp turn directly in front of the semi-truck on I-170 causing the two vehicles to collide, CHP said in a statement. It appeared that the teen driver was attempting to exit the I-170 onto the Anaheim Street off-ramp.
It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the crash.
All northbound lanes of the 710 Freeway were closed for several hours while police investigated the scene.
Any witnesses or anyone with further information are encouraged to contact CHP Officer Gonzales at the South Los Angeles Area office, 424-551-4000; or the CHP Los Angeles Communications Center at 323-259- 3200.
The LBPD will be investigating any possible criminal charges related to the crash and the CHP will handle the traffic portion of the investigation.