On Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 11:45 AM, 2 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Arson Unit, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Duca responded to a Auto Fire / Civilian Fatality, WestBound 118 Freeway At the Golden State Freeway in San Fernando.

Responding to reports of an automobile on fire, firefighters arrived on scene to discover a vehicle off the left shoulder of the freeway engulfed in flames. Apparently just minutes before the incident, individuals attempted to alert the driver, who was still in motion on the freeway, that the rear of the automobile was on fire. The driver continued for some distance before colliding into the median, pinning the driver’s side door.

Civilians on scene attempted to rescue the individual, but the flames proved to be too intense. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, but were unable to rescue the 46 year old male victim, who was later declared deceased at the scene. There is no clear evidence as to what caused the vehicle to catch fire or the condition of its driver prior to this incident.

A positive identification of the deceased man as well as the exact cause, time and manner of death will be determined by L. A. County Coroner Officials. This incident will continue to be an active investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

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Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department