Third Victim Killed In Fiery 5 Freeway Crash Identified
COMMERCE (CBSLA.com) — Officials continued to search Sunday for a racing driver blamed in a deadly multi-vehicle crash that took place on the 5 Freeway in Commerce.
According to California Highway Patrol officers, the fiery collision occurred just after midnight on Saturday, located in the southbound lanes of the freeway at Garfield Avenue.
A preliminary investigation revealed two street racers caused a UPS truck to lose control of the vehicle, which subsequently jumped the center divider of the freeway and burst into flames as it slammed into oncoming traffic.
The truck struck at least six vehicles in the northbound lanes. Debris from the crash also hit a Chevrolet Tahoe and a Chevrolet Silverado.
The suspected racers were believed to be traveling at speeds of 85 to 90 mph.
Following the collision, CHP officers arrested one of the drivers, Dealio Lockhart, 35, of Whittier. Lockhart could face vehicular manslaughter chargers.
According to police, Lockhart drove a Dodge Challenger while racing the driver of a Dodge Charger in the southbound lanes of the freeway. At one point, Lockhart saw a slower vehicle ahead and attempted to get around it at the same time the vehicle was trying to move to the right.
Lockhart then applied his brakes but lost control of the Challenger, which struck the left side of the UPS truck and prompted the chain collision crash.
The UPS truck sheared off the top of a gray Nissan, killing two people inside. One of the victims was identified by family members as Michelle Littlefield, 19, of Santa Clarita.
According to deputies, 18-year-old Brian Lewandowski was the other victim killed in the crash. Lewandowski is survived by his parents, Jocelyn and Victor, and his two brothers. His father is a homicide lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
"Brian was an incredible young man and every parent's dream for a son," the Lewandowski family said in a written statement. "We are absolutely devastated by our loss. Our hearts go out to the other victims and their families and our prayers are for the survivors' recovery. We are very thankful for the love and support of family and friends throughout this time."
Paramedics pronounced the UPS truck driver dead at the scene. He has been identified as Richard Scott Treadway of Mira Loma. Treadway was employed with UPS for about 30 years and was based out of the company's Cerritos office.
Two other people were rushed to County/USC Medical Center for treatment of major injuries. Two additional victims were transported with minor injuries to a different hospital.
"Our thoughts are with the victims of this accident," UPS officials said in a written statement. "UPS will cooperate with police as they investigate, and we will also conduct our own investigation."
The scene forced CHP officers to shut down the freeway in both directions for about 24 hours while authorities cleaned up the debris and officers investigated the deadly crash.
Southbound lanes of the freeway reopened late Saturday evening. Northbound lanes reopened just after midnight.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
