Father, daughter killed when car shears fire hydrant, slams into pole in La Mirada

LA MIRADA, Calif. (KABC) -- A father and his daughter were killed Saturday morning when their car sheared a fire hydrant and slammed into a pole in La Mirada, toppling power lines and leaving the vehicle mangled beyond recognition, authorities said.

The violent collision was reported shortly before 8 a.m. near the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Beach Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. No other vehicles were involved.

A grey Chrysler 300, being driven by one of the crash victims, was traveling eastbound on Rosecrans Avenue at a high rate of speed when its driver lost control and violently crashed, according to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department.

The agency said that the two occupants, both adults, were ejected from the vehicle due to the force of the collision, and died at the scene.

Firefighters arrived at the scene to find an electrical pole with high-tension power lines had been knocked over in the crash. A sheared fire hydrant initially made it difficult for emergency responders to gain access to the victims, a Fire Department spokesperson said.

The deceased were later identified as a father and daughter, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department said. Their names and ages were not immediately released.

News video from the scene showed sheriff's investigators examining the wreckage of the overturned car.

Southern California Edison crews were on scene to repair and restore the utility pole to service.

It's unknown if alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the crash. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, the LASD said.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Norwalk LASD station at (562) 863-8711. Those wishing to remain anonymous may dial Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.