All northbound lanes on the 5 Freeway were shut down near Lorena Street in Boyle Heights after authorities received reports of a shooting and a vehicle crash.
The California Highway Patrol responded to a report of gunfire and a vehicle traveling the wrong way around 4:11 p.m. on Thursday, Officer Erik Larson stated. It remained unclear whether the shooting occurred on the freeway or on adjacent streets prior to the accident, he noted.
One individual was transported to the hospital, and authorities were on the lookout for three potential suspects, he added. As of 6:30 p.m., the investigation was ongoing, and northbound traffic was being redirected to the 710 Freeway.
CHP units were carefully guiding vehicles against the flow of traffic to various exits to help reduce congestion between the crash site and the 710, according to Larson.
The California Department of Transportation was aiding with the road closure, utilizing trucks, cones, and flare patterns to safely direct vehicles as darkness approached, he mentioned. At 6:30 p.m., Larson indicated that the closure was anticipated to last for several hours.
Aerial footage captured by KTLA revealed first responders on the freeway alongside a white Tesla, which showed damage to its front driver’s side, and a silver vehicle with a damaged rear driver’s side bumper.
No official reports of fatalities have been issued. A white sheet was placed over the front passenger’s side of the gray car.
Traffic appeared to be congested for miles, extending all the way to the 605 Freeway.
