Dash-cam footage obtained by KTLA shows the moment a wrong-way driver was killed after smashing into several other vehicles in Long Beach on Thursday night.
Officers with the Long Beach Police Department responded to the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Junipero Avenue at around 7:19 p.m. on reports of the multi-vehicle collision.
Reports indicate that the male driver of a 2024 Lexus NX250 was traveling westbound on PCH at Junipero Avenue, went into the eastbound lanes of traffic and crashed into three other vehicles, a Dodge Challenger, a Toyota RAV4 and a Jeep Compass, an LBPD news release stated.
The Lexus eventually came to rest on its passenger side, police said.
Despite life-saving measures by personnel with the Long Beach Fire Department, the 56-year-old male driver, who was the sole occupant of the Lexus, was declared dead at the scene. Three men from the other vehicles, the driver of the Dodge and two passengers from the Toyota, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Three other victims were treated at the scene.
It is unknown at this time what caused the SUV’s driver to veer into the wrong lanes.
“Speed, drugs, and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.
PCH remained closed while authorities conducted their preliminary investigation, but the road has since reopened.
Anyone with information is asked to call LBPD Detective Jeff Meyer or Detective Kevin Johansen at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting LACrimeStoppers.org.
