60 Freeway crash in South El Monte: 5-year-old girl killed

SOUTH EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- A 5-year-old girl was killed and several people were critically injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a milk tanker on the 60 Freeway in South El Monte Thursday morning.

The crash, which occurred near Santa Anita Avenue around 5:40 a.m., forced the closure of both sides of the freeway for several hours.

The accident scene stretched 1,000 yards, with nine mangled vehicles and two big-rigs and the tanker involved. Two cars were incinerated.

Authorities say the milk tanker out of Norwalk was traveling eastbound when it barreled into vehicles that were slowing or stopping for traffic.

"The big-rig was approaching and traffic was backed up near Santa Anita Avenue and he collided with the vehicles and ended up on the center divider," said CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa.

Authorities say 13 people were injured. A 5-year-old girl died from her injuries at Beverly Hospital in Montebello, according to the coroner's office. Four people were listed in critical condition.

The 5-year-old girl was later identified as Maydelin Salas, a South El Monte resident.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Traffic was backed up for miles as crews worked to clear the freeway. All lanes reopened around 12:30 p.m.