County officials on Thursday publicly identified the 42-year-old woman killed in a three-vehicle crash in the Pico-Union neighborhood on Wednesday evening. The rush-hour collision left one person dead at the scene and drew a large emergency response from city crews. Authorities say the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Crash scene and emergency response
Firefighters and rescue crews were dispatched at about 5:56 p.m. Wednesday to the 1800 block of South Union Avenue, where first-arriving units reported a three-vehicle collision and one patient determined deceased, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. LAFD said crews worked at the scene and that no firefighters were injured during the response. The department added that the cause of the collision was being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Victim identified
The Los Angeles County medical examiner identified the victim as Juana Hernandez Ramos, 42, a Los Angeles resident, according to MyNewsLA. MyNewsLA reported that Ramos was pronounced dead at the scene despite rescue and life-saving efforts. Officials have not released additional details about other people who may have been involved in the crash.
Context: a dangerous stretch
The collision is the latest serious crash in Pico-Union; a recent incident in which a Palmdale woman was killed highlighted ongoing pedestrian and street-safety concerns in the neighborhood. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation's Vision Zero work has placed corridors through Pico-Union on the city's High Injury Network and prioritizes targeted safety improvements in those areas, according to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Advocates say quicker action on those priorities is needed to help prevent further tragedies.
Investigation ongoing
Police traffic investigators are examining the circumstances of the collision and have not disclosed whether any charges will be filed, the fire department said. This report will be updated when the LAPD or the county medical examiner releases additional information.
