BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Up to five people died early Saturday morning after a car spun out and burst into flames in Burbank, trapping people inside, officials said.
There was one survivor found about 50 yards from the burning Nissan when police arrived on the scene shortly after 4 a.m. The 18-year-old woman was taken to the Los Angeles County Medical Center, said Sergeant Darin Ryburn. She suffered a broken leg and appeared to be in serious condition, according to Fire Battalion Chief Ron Barone.
Paramedics reported smelling alcohol on her breath, said Barone. Authorities don’t yet know whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, but speed does appear to be a factor. The car burst into flames after striking a guardrail near an I-5 off-ramp, a stretch of roadway where freeway speed limits are quickly reduced because of nearby homes and where accidents have happened in the past, according to authorities.
It’s unclear how the woman got out of the vehicle while the others were trapped inside.
The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
“There was absolutely no possibility of any rescue whatsoever,” Barone said.
Lt. Larry Dietz of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner said an investigator was at the crash site. Dietz said the bodies were burned and depending on how badly they were burned fingerprints or dental records would be used to identify those killed.
The flames from the fire spread to nearby trees and brush and Barone says they were doused within moments of firefighters’ arriving.
Ryburn said police are awaiting a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner to further their investigation.
“It was pretty horrific,” Ryburn said.
