Early Sunday morning, a tragic incident left four people dead and two others injured on the 605 Freeway in Norwalk. According to KTLA, the California Highway Patrol reported two separate crashes, the second of which involved a Nissan sedan being struck by a Kia, after being involved in an earlier collision with a CHP cruiser. The crash occurred north of the 105 Freeway interchange and the Kia’s impact set the Nissan ablaze, claiming the lives of all four of its occupants.
Further reporting from CBS News Los Angeles revealed that the driver of the Kia, Iris Salmeron, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The timing between the two collisions has yet to be firmly established as per the officials. Efforts multiple hours later by authorities successfully reopened the southbound stretch of the freeway, which had been closed due to the major incident.
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is withholding the identities of the deceased pending notification of their next of kin. Meanwhile, the driver of the Kia, along with her passenger, were transported to a local hospital; one in critical condition and the other with minor injuries, as per the preliminary information released. Injuries to those in the CHP vehicle were not reported.
CHP Officer Zachary Salazar lamented the preventable nature of the incident, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families who are involved in terms of the victims…our officers are going to investigate this to the best of their ability,” in a statement obtained by KTLA. He further indicated that Salmeron would face multiple felony charges once released from the hospital. Meanwhile, CHP encourages anyone with information to reach out to their Santa Fe Springs office, continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding both crashes.
According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol and reported by FOX LA, the first incident, involving the CHP cruiser, left the Nissan disabled in a traffic lane right before the second fatal crash occurred, sealing the Nissan occupants' fate. Authorities continue to seek out additional perspectives on the event, as the investigation proceeds and they work to piece together the full narrative of that tragic early morning.
