Street-racing causes multi-vehicle crash in Paramount, killing 1

PARAMOUNT, Calif. (KABC) -- One woman died after five vehicles were involved in a collision caused by street-racing at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Somerset Boulevard in Paramount. Authorities are searching for a dark full-size pickup truck that was racing northbound on Orange.

Five people were injured; two were hospitalized in critical condition. The other three had minor injuries. A woman between 50-70 years old later died at the hospital after being revived on the scene and hospitalized in extremely critical condition.

The collision occurred when one of two full-size pickup trucks, possibly traveling as fast as 80 to 100 mph, ran a red light and collided with a Ford F-150 pickup truck at 7:25 p.m. The impact of the collision sent the F-150 into two other vehicles, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Alicia Malone said.

Eyewitnesses in nearby homes watched as rescuers rushed to help the victims.

"I heard a loud crashing sound. I told my brother, 'That sounded like more than one car,'" Jose Acosta said. "When I walked over here, they were taking people out. They used the Jaws of Life to remove one person."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said street-racing was involved.

"We have two pickup trucks that were traveling at a high rate of speed we believe were racing, traveling northbound," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Bryan Sirkel said.

The deceased woman was not part of the street racing but was caught in the crash, according to the department. She was believed to be a passenger in the F-150.

"She was just traveling as a passenger in a vehicle -- as innocent as they come," Sirkel said.

The driver of the pickup truck involved in the collision was hospitalized with injuries. Investigators say he will be arrested upon his release from the hospital.

The driver of the second pickup truck fled the scene.

"The information that we have, at this time, in regards to that vehicle is that it's just a dark pickup truck," Sirkel said. "We don't have any other information at this point."

The intersection was closed as the crash was investigated.