One person was killed and three others were injured after a car careened off the 405 Freeway in Van Nuys and landed on a homeless encampment Tuesday evening.
The crash occurred on the southbound 405 Freeway just before Sherman Way around 6 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers said.
A 40-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene due to "massive crush injuries," LA City fire officials said.
The rescue effort took 66 firefighters. First responders had to cut out a hole from a fence and pull the victims out from under steep brush.
Two men and the driver were injured and sent to the hospital.
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, but investigators ruled out drugs and alcohol.
Will Hawkins said the homeless encampment is made up of a tight-knit community of 50 people or more.
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Homelessness and camps along freeways and bridges are persistent problems in the West Valley, CHP said.
Haskell Avenue south of Strathern Street was closed while investigators were on scene.
