Woman killed on freeway in Santa Clarita when disabled car is struck from behind
An 18-year-old North Hollywood woman was killed early this morning when the car she was riding in ran out of gas, stalled and was struck from behind by another vehicle on Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita, authorities said.
The incident occurred at around 12:40 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the freeway, south of California 126, said Officer Jennifer Connelly, a spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol.
The deceased woman, whose identity has not been released, was a passenger in a Honda Civic, which became disabled in the No. 3 lane, Connelly said. The car was struck from behind by a Toyota Tercel, driven by a 43-year-old woman from Pacoima, authorities said.
The teenager was taken to Henry Mayo Hospital in Santa Clarita. She died a short time later, Connelly said.
The driver of the Honda, a 46-year-old North Hollywood woman, suffered minor injuries, as did the driver of the Toyota, Connelly said.
The investigation is continuing.-- Ann M. Simmons
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Hannah,
If you don't run out of gas, this won't happen to you !
Keep the tank full !
Your Dad
Posted by: Hannah DeYoung | December 30, 2009 at 02:08 PM
when you run out of gas, move to the shoulder. jeez it's not that difficult.
Posted by: pablo | December 30, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Unfortunately this is what happens when people who stall on the freeway don't get out of the way of oncoming traffic. If your car runs out of gas at 65 mph, you have plenty of momentum to get your car out of the lanes and over to the right side. It's too bad we have too many people who are horrible drivers and can't exercise common sense.
Posted by: Kevin | December 30, 2009 at 03:40 PM
It doesn't matter what she did. The driver behind her should have provided adequate stopping distance should the car in front of them come to a stop. That's why drivers are told to keep a certain number of car lengths in front of them at all times. The driver who struck the killed woman was negligent and I hope they lose their license at minimum.
Posted by: Spokker | December 30, 2009 at 04:46 PM
we can be a little more compassionate some just lost there daughter. my condolence to the family.
Posted by: anna marie | December 30, 2009 at 04:50 PM