LOS ANGELES, California — May 6, 2026
A woman was killed in a violent, fiery crash on the Interstate 10 freeway in Los Angeles Monday night after the Prius she was driving was rear-ended, sent into a divider, and erupted into a fireball.
According to witnesses, the suspect was driving at high speeds, weaving through multiple lanes before striking the back of a blue Toyota Prius.
The impact forced the Prius into the center divider, involving two other vehicles and sparking a massive fire on the freeway.
Los Angeles Fire Department crews arrived at approximately 7:16 p.m. and confirmed the female Prius driver died at the scene after being trapped inside the burning vehicle.
Witnesses described the flames as "huge" and the heat as "horrific." Another driver was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
As bystanders attempted to break the car windows with golf clubs to rescue the victim, the driver allegedly responsible for the crash fled the scene on foot.
Jacob Deegan—a construction worker in the area—said he stopped his rescue efforts to chase after the suspect.
“I tackled him to the ground and told him to stay there. But he kept trying to get away,” Deegan told KTLA.
Several other drivers assisted in holding the suspect until California Highway Patrol officers arrived to take him into custody.
Authorities have not yet released the victim's identity or official charges against the suspect.
Another witness noted that amid the chaos, there was a sense of positivity as many strangers rushed to help.
“Regardless of what people say about Los Angeles, there are still a lot of good people here willing to help a stranger,” said Eve Porinchak.
