Long Beach, California – A devastating accident occurred in Long Beach on the night of Monday, May 13, 2024, when a 15-year-old driving a stolen vehicle crashed and the car caught fire on the 710 Freeway.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the teenager, whose identity has not been released, was driving a 2020 Kia northbound near Anaheim Street. Around 10:30 p.m., he attempted to overtake a Freightliner truck but ended up in front of the truck, which collided with the right side of the Kia, sparking a fire.
Local media captured images of first responders pulling the occupants from the burning vehicle. The teenager sustained severe injuries and was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His three passengers, a 14-year-old boy and two girls aged 13 and 15, were moderately injured and taken to local trauma centers.
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Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish commented on the growing national trend of minors stealing vehicles and driving recklessly. “Although the driver succumbed to his injuries, I must commend the officers for their heroic actions. I am extremely proud of their bravery and willingness to rush into this dangerous situation to rescue the occupants,” Hebeish stated.
Authorities have not confirmed whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the accident. Additionally, the condition of the Freightliner driver, a 22-year-old man from Paramount, has not been reported. The crash caused a partial closure of the 710 Freeway for several hours.
The CHP is asking anyone with information about the accident to contact them at 424-551-4000 or 323-259-3200.
This stolen vehicle crash serves as a stark reminder of the importance of education and prevention to keep youths from engaging in criminal and dangerous activities. Authorities continue to work on improving road safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.
