A tragic incident unfolded on the 5 Freeway in Burbank on Saturday evening when a pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle, causing significant disruptions for southbound commuters, according to NBC Los Angeles. The collision was reported at approximately 7:09 p.m. near Verdugo Avenue as the pedestrian attempted to cross the busy freeway lanes.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed that multiple vehicles came to a halt following the accident, with one seemingly trying to protect the downed pedestrian; however, it is still not clear whether the driver who initially hit the pedestrian stopped or not. Traffic was backed up for miles during the closure, causing significant delays for those trying to navigate the area, FOX LA reported. The SigAlert was issued around 7:40 p.m., closing down the HOV lane along with lanes 1 and 2, while lanes 3 and 4 remained open to alleviate some of the congestion.
The identity of the deceased has not been disclosed as officials work to notify next of kin. The CHP, as detailed by CBS News Los Angeles, is considering the possibility that the pedestrian was running across the freeway when the accident occurred, leading to immediate efforts from concerned motorists to render aid.
The shutdown affected a vast number of drivers as SkyFOX aerial footage, capturing the extended lines of stalled vehicles, provided a visual testament to the gravity of the situation in the ensuing hours the CHP managed the scene and conducted preliminary investigations with normal traffic flow not resuming until just before 10 p.m. The California Highway Patrol, the primary source for these reports, continues to investigate the specific circumstances surrounding this fatal crossing of paths on one of Burbank's core road arteries.
