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Big Rig Driver Hits 18 Cars After Fatal Heart Attack

WEST LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A big rig driver had a fatal heart attack Wednesday before he struck as many as 18 cars on the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway, north of the Santa Monica (10) Freeway.

The truck came to a stop just south of Santa Monica Boulevard after the 4:36 p.m. accident, Devin Gales of the city fire department said.

The driver of the truck, identified Wednesday evening as 58-year-old William Bradfield of Huntington Beach was transported to UCLA Medical Center. He died at the hospital, authorities said.

Several drivers in the cars Bradfield hit reportedly had minor to moderate injuries, authorities said.

Traffic was backed up for miles, according to officials.

The CHP asked anyone who witnessed the crash to call the investigating officer, G. Garcia at (310) 642-3939.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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