A wrong-way driver was killed in a fiery crash on the 101 Freeway in East Hollywood early Monday, officials said.
The incident unfolded around 4 a.m. on the southbound side of the highway near the Santa Monica Boulevard exit, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP Roberto Gomez told KTLA that a red Prius was going down the fast lane around 80 mph in the wrong direction when it sideswiped a sedan and later crashed into a pickup truck, causing both cars to go up in flames.
At least one patient was reported trapped and had to be rescued.
A firefighter works to put out flames after a wrong-way crash on the 101 Freeway in East Hollywood on May 8, 2023. (TNLA) 
A burned out vehicle remains on the 101 Freeway following a fatal wrong-way crash on May 9, 2023. (TNLA) 
Traffic was backed up for miles after the fiery crash on May 9, 2023. (KTLA) 
The CHP investigates a fatal wrong-way crash on the 101 Freeway in East Hollywood on May 9, 2023. (KTLA)
The suspected wrong-way driver was declared dead at the scene, Gomez said. One person was taken to a hospital, and two others suffered minor, non life-threatening injuries.
The deadly collision subsequently caused other crashes on the other side of the freeway, officials said. One driver said a tire flew at his car while heading south.
A SIG Alert was issued in the area and traffic was backed up for miles as a result, aerial video from Sky5 showed. All lanes of the highway were reopened around 9 a.m.
No further information about the victims or the suspected wrong-way driver have been released.
