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Infant, pregnant woman among at least 5 killed in fiery LA multi-car crash

Surveillance video shows cross traffic on Slauson moving west through the intersection as the Mercedes coupe speeds into the frame at full velocity, before slamming into multiple vehicles

At least five people died and nine others were injured in a fiery car crash involving several vehicles in Windsor Hills on Thursday, August 4, officials confirmed. The crash took place after a Mercedes coupe that was speeding south on La Brea Avenue and ran a red light slammed into multiple cars at Slauson Avenue around 1:30 pm. Among the deceased were an infant, a pregnant woman and her unborn child. At least two other adults were also killed. Eight others, six kids and two adults suffered minor injuries and were rushed to the hospital. One other person was treated at the scene. 

Surveillance video from a nearby business showed a Mercedes speeding into the frame at full velocity as cross traffic on Slauson moved west through the intersection. The Mercedes subsequently slammed into multiple vehicles, prompting a fire. The vehicles were seen still skidding through the intersection, coming to a halt in front of a gas station. 

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At least six vehicles were involved in the crash and the impact of the crash caused at least three of them to burst into flames. Witnesses described how there was a terrifying loud noise at the time of the crash, which was followed by fire and sparking electricity. Thick plumes of smoke were seen drifting into the sky before firefighters arrived. 

"It looked like the whole intersection from corner to corner was on fire," said witness Harper Washington, according to ABC7. "A lot of sparks and electricity. I was under the impression that really at first I thought they dropped a bomb on us. I thought another world war had started. Then I realized it was a car into the sign." Harper added, "Once the fire went away and the booming left, I realized it was two cars there. You could see the people on fire and that's just sad. I really pray for the people and the community." The unborn child's death is considered a fifth fatality. According to the CHP, the unborn child died “due to rare circumstances."

A woman who did not wish to be named told Los Angeles Times that a Mercedes-Benz hit her car as she was leaving a United Oil gas station. “I was getting out, had got gas,” she said. “All of a sudden that Mercedes is coming at me on ... fire. I didn’t have any time to think about it. It hit my car. I veered, hit the bench on the side.”

It is unclear if the driver of the Mercedes is among the ones who were killed. The driver has only been identified as a female adult. The CHP said that if she was alive, several criminal charges would possibly be presented to the district attorney. Windsor Hills, where the crash took place, is an unincorporated community just south of LA's Crenshaw district. The investigation is being handled by CHP with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The names and ages of the victims have yet to be revealed.