A driver was killed in a terrifying early-morning crash near Los Angeles International Airport after a vehicle slammed into a concrete freeway support and erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball into the darkness.
The deadly accident happened around 5 a.m. Saturday, October 24, near Imperial Highway and Nash Street, just south of LAX.
According to authorities, only one vehicle was involved in the crash, which occurred near a busy area of warehouses, airport facilities and commercial buildings.
The impact was severe enough to destroy much of the car’s front end before flames quickly engulfed the wreckage.
Video from the scene showed enormous flames shooting into the night sky as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
One nearby witness, who said he had been sleeping in his car, recalled being startled awake by an enormous crash.
“I just heard a big boom,” the man said in footage captured at the scene.
When he looked outside, he realized a vehicle was burning nearby and immediately feared someone might still be trapped inside.
Emergency crews from the Los Angeles Fire Department rushed to the crash site, with firefighters and paramedics arriving shortly after 5 a.m.
The California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles police and airport-related emergency personnel also responded as authorities secured the area.
Firefighters battled the intense flames before examining what remained of the badly damaged vehicle.
Sadly, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not publicly released the victim’s identity, age or gender, and no other injuries were initially reported.
The wreck happened near a FedEx facility and close to the 105 Freeway, an area that regularly sees heavy commercial and airport traffic.
Photographs taken after firefighters extinguished the blaze showed the vehicle’s front end destroyed, with much of its exterior blackened by the fire.
Investigators spent the morning examining the wreckage and surrounding roadway, searching for evidence that might explain what caused the driver to lose control.
Although the vehicle reportedly struck a freeway support pillar, officials have not confirmed whether speeding, impairment, a medical emergency or mechanical failure played a role.
The circumstances leading up to the collision remain unknown.
The investigation is being handled by the El Segundo Police Department, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities have not disclosed whether surveillance cameras from nearby airport facilities or businesses captured the crash.
The location is particularly notable because Imperial Highway runs along the southern edge of Los Angeles International Airport, connecting surrounding neighborhoods with major freeways and industrial areas.
The roadway is frequently used by airport employees, delivery drivers and travelers heading to and from LAX.
While the crash did not involve an aircraft or airport operations, the dramatic fire and emergency response attracted attention because of its proximity to one of the nation’s busiest airports.
The incident also highlights how quickly a serious vehicle collision can become deadly when a car strikes a fixed object such as a concrete support.
Such impacts can cause extensive damage to a vehicle, while fires following a collision can create additional dangers for occupants and emergency responders.
For now, investigators are working to determine exactly what happened in the moments before the crash.
The victim’s identity is expected to be released after authorities notify the person’s family.
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