ENCINO, CA — A 19-year-old man was killed Saturday after stepping out of a disabled vehicle during a chain-reaction crash on the Ventura (101) Freeway in Encino.
The crash was reported at 1:48 a.m. Saturday on the northbound freeway south of White Oak Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The initial call was about a black sedan blocking the fast lane with its hazard lights on, the CHP said. A person was reported out of the vehicle within a few minutes. A witness reported at 1:58 a.m. that four vehicles were involved in the crash and at 2 a.m., it was reported that someone was under a vehicle.
Video from the scene showed Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters using a jack to raise the wreckage of a car off a motionless person and check for vital signs.
A representative from the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office was summoned to the scene, the CHP said. The victim was later identified as Chaz Castillo. His city of residence was not available.
Sgt. Leon Hines of the CHP explained the series of events to KTLA5.
"At approximately 1:45 a.m. ... a series of crashes started with a solo vehicle crash that left a vehicle disabled in the No. 1 lane. Second vehicle came and rear-ended that vehicle. A third vehicle, immediately following that, crashed into one of the parties and the first vehicle, and then two other vehicles following. Soon after, we were able to get traffic stopped and begin to investigate the crash."
Hines said motorists involved in a freeway crash are advised to move to the right shoulder if possible, or failing that, to remain in their vehicle with their seatbelt on.
A Sigalert issued at 2:38 a.m. shutting down all northbound lanes and diverting traffic to White Oak Avenue was canceled at 8:57 a.m.
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Encino, CA Patch
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