Four people were killed in a fiery crash in a tunnel under the Long Beach Airport early Saturday morning, police said, prompting investigations by local authorities as well as the National Transportation Safety Board.
Shortly before 1:20 a.m., a 2008 Honda Accord was traveling southbound on Lakewood Boulevard from Spring Street when the car hit the center median curb. The car lost control, hit the underpass center support wall and burst into flames, Long Beach police said in a news release.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and tried to help one of the women who was outside the car, but she succumbed to her injuries. They also located three people who died inside the vehicle. Their ages were not available. Their identities are being withheld pending identification and family notifications.
Speed and impairment are being investigated as a possible factors in the collision, according to police.
The NTSB also announced on X that it is investigating the collision. The board probes certain major collisions involving highways, tunnels and railroad crossings to assess if safety issues should be addressed.
Additional information will be added when it becomes available.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash and can identify the driver is asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Ashley Van Holland at 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through L.A. Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the “P3 TIPS” app to a smartphone or going to LACrimeStoppers.org.