4 killed in wrong-way crash involving several vehicles on 71 Freeway in Chino Hills

CHINO HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Four people were killed in a wrong-way crash involving several vehicles on the 71 Freeway in Chino Hills Sunday morning.

The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. on southbound lanes near Chino Hills Parkway, according to the California Highway Patrol traffic log. When officers arrived on scene, they found at least one car completely engulfed in flames.

A CHP sergeant, among the first to arrive at the scene, tried to rescue the occupants of the burning vehicle.

"He attempted to use his fire extinguisher (from) his patrol car," Highway Patrol Sgt. Kenneth Phillips said. "Once that was exhausted, he used a bystander's fire extinguisher and attempted to defeat the flames, however, was unsuccessful."

At least four cars were involved in the crash. It appears the victims were in two of them. None of them have been identified.

The crash occurred after a white car that was traveling northbound in the southbound HOV lane collided head-on with a black vehicle, Phillips said. The wrong-way driver's car was engulfed in flames after the impact. No one in that vehicle survived.

One other person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

It's unclear whether any substances were involved.

The freeway was shut down between Grand Avenue and Chino Hills Parkway for several hours as an investigation was conducted at the scene.