Pursuit Ends in Deadly Crash on 5 Freeway in Lincoln Heights

One of the subjects wanted in connection with an armed robbery was killed in the crash

All lanes of the 5 Freeway at Broadway were reopened Friday morning following a deadly overnight pursuit that ended with an SUV rolling over several times before crashing into a van, scattering money across the highway, according to police.

Three Hispanic men in their early-to-mid 20s allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven convenience store at knifepoint near the intersection of 4th and Cummings streets in East Los Angeles, police said.

Shortly before 2 a.m., police spotted the alleged robbers' getaway vehicle -- a burgundy SUV -- being driven recklessly near State and Marengo streets.

A high-speed pursuit that lasted about 2 minutes ended on the 5 Freeway near the Pasadena Avenue exit with the driver of the SUV losing control, rolling the vehicle five or six times, clipping a bridge foundation pillar and crashing into a commercial cargo van.

The driver of the SUV was killed. The other two occupants were hospitalized in critical condition. All three men were wearing seatbelts, according to police.

The driver of the van was not injured, LAPD Sgt. Rudy Lopez said.

Cash and coins were found in the SUV and on the freeway, Lopez said

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Northbound closures created back up in the Lincoln Heights area during the Friday morning rush hour.

The incident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles Police Department.

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