Fatal multi-car crash shuts all WB lanes of 10 Fwy in West Covina

WEST COVINA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed in a fiery multi-vehicle crash that shut down all westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway in West Covina early Friday morning.

The wreck occurred just east of Citrus Street shortly after 1 a.m. According to California Highway Patrol, five cars were involved - a semi pulling a container, Lexus SUV, Toyota sedan, Audi and a Toyota pickup truck.

Two people were killed - one person from the Audi and one from the Toyota pickup. A third person, a woman, was rushed to a local hospital with injuries. She is expected to be OK.

Authorities said an earlier accident created a small backup. However, not all cars slowed down. This led to two cars being rear-ended, one of which leaked gas and caught fire, authorities said.

"The force of the impact, I believe, ruptured one of the gas tanks, because when we got there, there was a smell of gasoline on the road. So obviously, that caught on fire, and there were reports of explosions," described CHP Sgt. John Alanis.

Alanis said an officer who arrived on scene reported seeing flames shooting 30 feet up in the air.

Officials believe speed was a factor in the crash, which was under investigation.

All westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway were closed at Citrus Street, and drivers were being diverted off at Grand Avenue. Lanes started reopening around 5:15 a.m.