A good Samaritan was killed while trying to help the driver of a disabled vehicle on the southbound Santa Ana (5) Freeway in Downey, authorities said Friday night.
The accident occurred just north of the Lakewood Boulevard exit about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol Officer M. DuLong.
A Mitsubishi Lancer became disabled in traffic lanes after its driver told officers he struck the center median at Lakewood Boulevard because he was cut off by a gray Chevrolet, DuLong said
The driver of a Honda Pilot, identified as Bruno Rodriguez, 47, of Anaheim, stopped his SUV in front of the Mitsubishi and walked with his passenger, Nancy Segoviano, 36, also of Anaheim, back to the disabled vehicle to check on the driver and his passengers, DuLong said.
Rodriguez used the flashlight on his cellphone to warn approaching traffic and Segoviano began walking back to the Honda when the 18-year-old driver of a 2015 Ford Mustang swerved to avoid the Mitsubishi, struck Rodriguez's right hand and continued forward, striking Segoviano and then crashed into the Honda. Inside the Honda were three children, ages 10, 12 and 14, DuLong said.
Segoviano, Rodriguez and the three children were taken to a hospital, where Segoviano died. Rodriguez suffered a major injury to his hand, but declined treatment. The three children were treated for complaints of pain and released, DuLong said.
The driver of the Mustang, Travis Le, of Placentia, suffered cuts to his left hand, but declined treatment. A passenger in the Mustang was taken to a hospital for a cut over her left eye and pain to her head. Two other passengers complained of pain, but declined treatment.
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The driver of the Mitsubishi was not injured.
No arrests were reported and alcohol was not a factor in the crash, DuLong said.
