A pregnant woman lost her unborn child after a speeding car ran a red light and set off a multi-vehicle blaze near a gas station, while first responders pulled victims from burning wreckage at the La Brea and Slauson intersection.
You’ll follow the timeline of the crash, how emergency crews worked amid flames and smoke, and the immediate toll on victims and the surrounding community. Expect clear details about what happened, who was affected, and how authorities are handling the aftermath.
Fiery Crash on La Brea and Slauson: What Happened
A high-speed Mercedes ran a red light at La Brea and Slauson, striking multiple vehicles and triggering an intense fire. First responders pulled survivors and victims from burning wreckage as investigators from the California Highway Patrol began reconstructing the scene.
Timeline of the Multi-Vehicle Crash
The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. when a gray Mercedes traveled south on La Brea and entered the Slauson intersection at high speed. Witnesses reported the Mercedes ran the red light and collided with several cars, producing immediate flames and explosions.
Responders arrived within minutes. Fire units found multiple vehicles fully involved and civilians trapped. Initial reports counted five dead at the scene; the death toll later rose as investigators searched burned vehicles. The California Highway Patrol, represented in public updates by officer Franco Pepi, said the pregnant woman and her unborn child were among those who died.
Traffic cameras and witness video showed the chain-reaction impact and subsequent fires. Authorities transported several injured people to nearby hospitals, including at least one to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for critical care. The CHP continues to review physical evidence and video to establish speed and point of impact.
Role of First Responders in the Rescue Effort
Firefighters and CHP units coordinated a rapid extraction from vehicles that were burning or structurally compromised. Crews used hydraulic tools to open doors and cut roof sections when occupants could not exit. Paramedics prioritized life-saving interventions at the scene, treating burns, fractures, and smoke inhalation.
First responders established a command perimeter to control traffic and preserve evidence for the California Highway Patrol investigation. They performed triage on multiple victims, moving the most critical to ambulances first. Fire crews also worked to extinguish fuel-fed fires to prevent further explosions and to make the scene safer for rescue and investigators.
Local hospitals, including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, received several patients with serious injuries. CHP spokesperson Franco Pepi provided regular briefings to update the public on casualties and ongoing rescue operations.
Impact and Extent of the Wreckage
The collision damaged at least half a dozen vehicles and left several completely burned. Flames spread to nearby cars and briefly threatened a gas station area, increasing the complexity and danger for rescue teams. Debris and vehicle parts littered La Brea and Slauson, forcing a multi-block closure.
Property damage included totaled passenger cars and structural damage to road-side fixtures. The force of the impact scattered wreckage across multiple lanes, making lane reopening slow while investigators from the California Highway Patrol documented the scene. Emergency towing and cleanup required heavy equipment to clear crushed and burned vehicles.
Officials later placed a memorial near the intersection to honor the victims. Investigators continue to analyze vehicle speeds, traffic signals, and camera footage to determine the sequence that produced such severe destruction. For more on local reporting and details, see the coverage of the incident at the La Brea and Slauson intersection.
Victims, Legal Fallout, and Community Impact
First responders pulled multiple people from burning cars and treated injured victims at the scene. Officials later confirmed the most severe outcomes, medical transfers, and at least one criminal referral tied to alleged impairment.
Pregnant Woman, Her Unborn Child, and Other Victims
A 29-year-old pregnant woman, identified in local reports as AsheRey Ryan, suffered critical injuries after the initial collision and subsequent fire. Emergency crews rushed her to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where staff attempted life-saving measures; her unborn child did not survive.
Several other occupants were injured at varying severities. One toddler in a nearby vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene. First responders used extrication tools to free trapped people and firefighters extinguished flames that threatened multiple vehicles. Families remain in shock; hospital officials and CHP spokespeople have provided only limited updates about individual prognoses.
CHP Investigation and Vehicular Manslaughter Charges
The California Highway Patrol opened a criminal investigation immediately, treating impairment as a central factor. CHP investigators collected on-scene evidence, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed vehicle data recorders to establish sequence and speed.
Prosecutors are considering vehicular manslaughter or related charges against the driver now identified as Alonzo in press accounts. If charged, the case could follow state statutes that allow homicide charges when a pregnant victim and her unborn child are killed in a violent offense. Legal teams for the involved parties are preparing petitions and statements; court filings and formal charges may appear once toxicology and collision reconstruction reports conclude.
Community Response and Ongoing Support
Neighbors and local advocacy groups organized vigils and started a fund to assist medical bills and funeral costs. A GoFundMe and church collections have raised initial contributions; volunteers are coordinating meal deliveries and childcare for affected families.
Local leaders called for improved highway safety measures where the crash occurred. Community members have urged the CHP for transparency in the investigation and asked the district attorney to prioritize the most serious charges. Counseling services and hospital liaisons at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center are helping survivors and relatives navigate care and legal processes.
Relevant reporting on the crash and legal context appears in local news and analyses of fetal-victim laws, which explain how states treat unborn victims in criminal cases; readers seeking legal background can consult materials that outline those statutes and precedent.
More from Vinyl and Velvet:
Leave a Reply