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Teen Killed, 2 Injured In Fiery Crash On 10 Freeway In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a driver was intoxicated and speeding when he crashed his car into a guardrail on the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica, killing himself and injuring his two teenage passengers.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office identified the driver as 19-year-old Giovanny Soto of Bell.

The accident happened around 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the McClure Tunnel. Police say Soto was speeding when he lost control and his car hit a guardrail and an embankment wall at the western end of the 10 Freeway.

According to police, the car then spun back onto the freeway in the wrong direction and caught fire. The driver was unable to escape the car.

Moments later, an Audi traveling across the westbound lanes struck the Mustang and a Jeep Cherokee that was passing the collision scene, according to CHP Sgt. Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh.

The drivers of the Audi and Jeep Cherokee were uninjured and declined medical treatment.

Two male passengers inside the Mustang escaped the car as the Audi and Cherokee crashed into the wreckage. A 19-year-old passenger suffered a cut to his face, and a 16-year-old boy suffered minor cuts to his left hand.

Both were taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

(©2013 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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