TRUCK ACCIDENT: Three Female Passengers Fatally Burned After Truck Collision

June 27, 2011

Los Angeles-- At least three women suffered fatal burn injuries after a Wal-Mart trailer crashed onto their Nissan pick-up in Orange 57 Freeway on Monday at 3:00 a.m.

The truck driver was moving at 55 mph when he struck a slowing pick up. The collision caused the Nissan's gas tank to rupture and burst into flames, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports.

Reports said three occupants of the pick up truck sustained fatal burn injuries. Both the Nissan and Wal-Mart driver suffered non-life threatening injuries.

CHP officers commented that the pick up truck slowed to 5 miles per hour when the rear-end collision occurred.
Authorities are investigating whether the Nissan's damaged front tire is a factor in the accident. Traffic operations on 57 Freeway resumed at 7:10 a.m.

The Los Angeles County Coroner Office will need more days to identify the severely burned bodies.