Child killed, 7 other people hurt in Santa Monica tunnel collision involving 2 trucks
6/6/2014SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Two trucks and a minivan collided in a freeway tunnel today, killing a child, injuring seven other people and snarling traffic for hours on a major Southern California coastal route, authorities said.
A big rig, a dump truck hauling a trailer, and a minivan were involved in the crash at about 12:30 p.m. in the McClure Tunnel on Interstate 10, which links the freeway to the Pacific Coast Highway west of Los Angeles.
A youngster in the minivan was killed and another was critically injured, Santa Monica Deputy Fire Chief Tom Clemo said.
Five other people in the van and a truck driver suffered moderate injuries, he said.
There was no fire, but traffic was disrupted for miles and the wreckage remained clogging the tunnel in the middle of the evening rush hour. Drivers detoured onto Santa Monica city streets.
“Trafficwise, it’s a complete mess in the city,” Clemo said.
The California Highway Patrol was investigating the crash.