Founder and Managing Partner
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Southern California officials continue to investigate a fiery crash in Long Beach that left a 15-year-old driver dead and three other teens with moderate injuries. Â
Officials with the Long Beach Police Department said they received a call from someone who reported their Kia SUV had been stolen. She then found the car and saw four people inside.Â
Once officers arrived at the scene, the SUV was gone again. Long Beach PD began tracking the vehicle from overhead using the department’s helicopter to assist officers on the ground.Â
While tracking the vehicle, the Kia crashed into a semi-truck on the 710 Freeway near the Anaheim Street exit just before 10:30 p.m., a spokesperson for Long Beach PD said.Â
Video from the scene showed the suspects’ vehicle engulfed in flames after the collision and law enforcement pulling victims out of the wreckage.Â
The driver of the stolen Kia was identified as a 15-year-old boy who was rushed to the hospital where he died, officials said. His name has not been released at this stage of the investigation.Â
Also in the Kia were two girls, ages 13 and 15, both of Long Beach; and a 14-year-old boy from Los Angeles, according to the CHP, which reported that the three were taken to a hospital for treatment of “moderate” injuries.
The big rig driver, identified as 22-year-old Alvaro Patino of Paramount, was treated for minor injuries and cooperated with the investigation.Â
The fiery crash caused a full closure of the northbound lanes of the 710 Freeway near the scene of the crash. All lanes reopened just before 1:30 a.m.
SUGGESTED:
The CHP was investigating the cause of the crash on the 710 freeway, while Long Beach PD handled the criminal investigation.Â
No officers were involved in the crash.Â
The investigation is ongoing.Â
Any witnesses or anyone with further information are encouraged to contact CHP Officer Gonzales at the South Los Angeles Area office, 424-551-4000; or the CHP Los Angeles Communications Center at 323-259- 3200.