Deadly Los Angeles multi-car crash tied to fleeing DUI suspect

Investigators believe a deadly four-vehicle crash in Los Angeles' Harvard Park neighborhood overnight was caused by a suspected DUI driver who was trying to flee a previous crash just a few blocks away. Officers were called to the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Gage Avenue, where a vehicle involved in a crash had allegedly fled the scene at around 12:40 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Officer Ayers told KTLA. The damaged vehicle continued westbound on Gage Avenue when it struck three other vehicles near Normandie Avenue, Ayers said. Video from the scene showed debris scattered across the intersection. One dark-colored SUV had severe damage to its front end. “This is actually one of the worst traffic collision scenes I’ve been at, which tells me that, with all the debris in the roadway, speed was a huge factor,” Ayers said. “Unfortunately, one person passed away.” There was no immediate word on the identity of the person who was killed in the crash or which vehicle the person was in. No other serious injuries were reported. The crash remains under investigation. “We feel maybe that there’s some DUI involved and speed,” Ayers said. All of the vehicles were apparently traveling westbound on Gage when they were struck from behind by the hit-and-run suspect’s vehicle, according to preliminary investigations.