1 dead, 2 critically injured in South Los Angeles crash involving 6 vehicles

One person was killed and two people were critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash in South Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon. 

It happened at around 2 p.m. near Vermont Street and Colden Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol, which is investigating the incident as it happened in an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County. 

Circumstances leading up to what caused the crash remain under investigation, but police said that at least six cars were involved in the crash and that preliminary findings revealed that a black Chevrolet Suburban, driving at a high rate of speed, crashed into a gray Audi A3 being driven by an 18-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The victim has been identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as Juan Sanchez Salas.

Both the driver of the Chevrolet and another vehicle were taken to nearby hospitals with major injuries, CHP officers said. They have determined that alcohol was not a factor in the collision.  

Social media video of the aftermath showed several cars with significant damage, including one that appeared to have been cut in half. One black SUV had overturned onto its roof and was stopped on a center divider on Vermont Avenue. Debris was scattered across the intersection as authorities surveyed the scene. 

Anyone who knows more was asked to contact CHP's West Los Angeles area office at 323-259-3200.