Dodge Charger driver killed in wrong-way crash (hopefully it was no one here)

**jhuerta63** · 01-28-2009, 06:31 PM

from LA Times

-10 reopened after two killed in wrong-way crash

CHP at the scene of the accident, which occurred at about 5 a.m. One vehicle was engulfed in flames.

The early-morning head-on collision on L.A.'s Westside left a Culver City police officer and a Van Nuys man dead. It also created a traffic nightmare.

All eastbound lanes of the I-10 Freeway on L.A.'s Westside have been reopened hours after a Culver City police officer and a 21-year-old Van Nuys man were killed in a head-on collision that closed the highway for hours during the morning commute, authorities said.

The officer was driving east on the 10 when he was struck at about 5 a.m. just west of National Boulevard by a silver sedan traveling the wrong way, said Officer Miguel Luevano of the California Highway Patrol. At least one of the cars was engulfed in flames.

No one else was hurt, and the CHP is investigating the cause of the accident.

It was unclear whether the officer was on duty, but Luevano said he was driving a four-door Dodge Charger, a type of vehicle often used by police as unmarked cars.

KFWB radio reporter Pete Demetriou was driving to work about 4:55 a.m. on the eastbound 10 when he saw a car coming toward him.

"You're used to seeing headlights coming at you, but you assume they're on the other side," he said. "At about 200 yards I realized he was coming in my lane."

Demetriou said he called police after the car blew past him traveling about 65 mph.

All eastbound lanes and one westbound lane of the 10 -- also known as the Santa Monica Freeway -- were closed at the 405 Freeway. Traffic was backed up for miles this morning from the 405 to the 110 Freeway, but all lanes were reopened just before 1 p.m.

The Culver City Police Department plans to release more information about the crash later today.
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**Super T** · 01-28-2009, 06:33 PM

WTF? That's just plain sad. I hope it was neglect - asleep at the wheel or something - and not a suicide w/ a takedown in the process. Ugh. You're never safe, are you?

**Magnum Power** · 01-28-2009, 06:35 PM

That is ugly.

**CT-MSRT** · 01-28-2009, 06:43 PM

that sucks. I've seen that twice before in person in the last 7 years. 1 was a car evading police and the other i never figured out. I go to work at 5am or earlier sometimes and with no one on the road i saw this guy traveling at normal highway speed on what he probably thought was the slow lane. on a 2 lane highway it was pretty damn scary coming on that from around a corner. Missed the car by 5-6ft and he never slowed down/swerved or even attempted to turn around as i watching in my rear view mirror after i pulled over to call it in. I honestly wonder being that it was nearly 4am if it was one of those reactions to some of these sleep medications. There has been documented accounts of people that had a drink or glass of wine before bed when taking some of the prescription ones and woke up at the wheel of their damn car in the middle of the night. Very rare but it did happen to people.

**Hemi31** · 01-28-2009, 06:59 PM

Looks like it was a v6.....hope it was no one we know.

**KStryker** · 01-28-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Hemi31

Looks like it was a v6.....hope it was no one we know.

x2

**1badgto** · 01-28-2009, 07:03 PM

that is sad :(

**Bx Tpr** · 01-28-2009, 07:09 PM

**** almost happened to me and my night partner once. Guy turned out to be a DWI traveling southbound in the northbound lanes.

God bless the officer and his family.

**bandaid** · 01-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Prayers to both families. You can be the best driver in the world but it just takes one mistake!

**Plum Krazy** · 01-28-2009, 09:24 PM

That was a horrible sceen! Everyone needs to remember to ALWAYS kiss their children & spouse, mother & father, other loved ones before they get into a car. Tell them you love them...just in case that's the last opportunity you (or they) have to say it. You never know when something like that will happen or to whom.

**8 UR LS** · 01-28-2009, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by plum krazy

that was a horrible sceen! Everyone needs to remember to always kiss their children & spouse, mother & father, other loved ones before they get into a car. Tell them you love them...just in case that's the last opportunity you (or they) have to say it. You never know when something like that will happen or to whom.

x2!

**BDA1855** · 02-03-2009, 01:16 PM

Ugh... i hate seeing these...

Back in 2006 on another forum i was on, someone posted something like this... it turned out to be one of our members... it was just a horrible situation... its really sad... i lost a friend and a car brethren...

There is absolutly no need to ever drive drunk and its just as stupid to street race...

my prayers go out to the CHP officers family.