60 Freeway: 2 killed in violent multi-vehicle crash near Beaumont

BEAUMONT, Calif. (KABC) -- Two people were killed and as many as five were injured Thursday afternoon in a violent three-vehicle crash involving a semitrailer that prompted the closure of the 60 Freeway in both directions near Beaumont, authorities said.

The violent collision was reported shortly before 2 p.m. in the Badlands area of Riverside County, about halfway between Beaumont and Moreno Valley, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A white Corvette convertible and a black Audi SUV were also involved in the pileup. Aerial video from AIR7 HD showed significant damage to those vehicles.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. All lanes of the 60 Freeway were reopened shortly before 5 p.m.