A late-night collision in Koreatown on Wednesday ended in tragedy when a car overturned and a 31-year-old man was ejected and killed near the intersection of Vermont Avenue and 1st Street, authorities said. Emergency crews pronounced the man dead at the scene, and several other people were rushed to nearby hospitals. The intersection stayed shut down for hours while investigators documented the wreckage and tow trucks cleared the mangled vehicles.
Crash details
According to KTLA, the crash was reported at about 10:21 p.m., after California Highway Patrol officers were flagged down at the scene. Preliminary information from the Los Angeles Police Department indicates that one car was headed north on Vermont Avenue and another was moving east on 1st Street when the two collided, causing one vehicle to overturn. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the 31-year-old man was thrown from the second vehicle and pronounced dead on the 3500 block of West 1st Street, while other occupants were taken to hospitals for evaluation.
Victims and response
Police identified a 23-year-old as the driver and a 21-year-old as a passenger, and both were transported to local hospitals in stable condition. Two more occupants from the overturned vehicle were also treated and taken to hospitals, according to emergency responders. Officers kept the intersection closed as investigators collected evidence and crews worked to haul away the damaged cars.
Investigation
Authorities have not determined whether speed, drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash, according to KTLA. The case is being handled by Los Angeles Police Department traffic investigators, and the investigation remains active. Officials are asking anyone with information to contact the department.
