1 Killed In Multi-Vehicle Wreck On PCH In Malibu
MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — A head-on collision involving as many as three cars has killed one person and forced the closure of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO reports that a SigAlert was issued for the highway at Rambla Vista following the fatal collision.
It occurred just west of Las Flores Canyon around 8:10 a.m. Saturday.
Art Barron, reporting from the scene, says preliminary information reveals that a red Ford Explorer Explorer may have blown out its rear right front tire before veering over the center and into oncoming traffic.
Barron said the collision claimed the life of a 15-year-old passenger of the Ford Explorer. Two others were seriously injured.
Saturday evening, the deceased was identified as Roman Jimenez.
The shut down from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to Carbon Canyon Road was expected to remain in effect until approximately 4 p.m. (Update: The PCH reopened at about 3:30 p.m.)
Traffic was being detoured to the Ventura (101) Freeway through Calabasas or onto other roads between Topanga and Malibu Canyon.
Reporting from the scene Saturday evening, CBS2 and KCAL9's Bobby Kaple said investigators said the crash was likely caused by a tire blow out.
Eric Hoffman of the LA County Sheriff's department said, "We believe he (Jimenez) had a tire go out on his vehicle which caused the driver to lose control."
Suzi Cleveland was in her bathroom in her Malibu home when she said heard a loud boom. "The kid who was driving ran across the street. And he laid down, cause he was hurt. And people were looking in the backseat of the car."
Kaple said the investigation into the crash is on-going.
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