The incident occurred near the Oxnard Street off-ramp around 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Fire Department officials said some of the victims were cut from the wreckage of the crash.
Four people were transported to a local hospital. Three of them were listed in critical condition. Three others were treated and released at the scene.
A rear-end collision was reported minutes later near the Victory Boulevard exit.
The southbound lanes of the freeway in the area were closed until 10 p.m.
