At least seven people were hospitalized Wednesday morning after a crash that involved a big rig carrying molasses and at least three other vehicles at the busy East LA Interchange
The crash occurred on the southbound 5 Freeway transition to the westbound 10 Freeway. Aerial video showed the big rig, a pickup on its side and at least two other vehicles that were involved in the crash.
Initial information from the California Highway Patrol indicated one person was killed in the crash, but authorities later said the victim was critically injured. Details regarding the conditions of the other victims were not immediately available.
The transition road from the southbound 5 Freeway was closed for the crash investigation. Traffic backed up early Wednesday on the 5 Freeway as crews attempted to remove vehicles and reopen lanes, some of which were coated in sticky molasses that spilled from the truck.
The interchange, one of the nation's busiest, handles more than 500,000 vehicles per day. The 5, 10, 60 and 101 freeways meet at the interchange east of downtown Los Angeles.
