Deadly 710 Freeway Crash After Police Pursuit of Stolen Kia

One person lost their life and at least three individuals were hospitalized with major injuries after a stolen car, pursued by polce, collided with a big rig, engulfing the scene in flames on the 710 Freeway in Long Beach. 

The pursuit, initiated by the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, targeted a stolen Kia Optima traveling northbound on the freeway near Anaheim Street. During the chase, the stolen vehicle crashed into a large commercial truck, causing the Kia to catch fire. 

Footage captured at the scene depicted LBPD officers heroically rescuing multiple occupants from the engulfed Kia, endeavoring to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers until the Long Beach Fire Department arrived, according to eyewitnesses. Video by @lojackhit 

California Highway Patrol Officer Erik Larsen confirmed that one individual succumbed to their injuries at the crash site, while several others were rushed by Long Beach Fire to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.

LBPD will investigate into potential criminal charges stemming from the crash, while the California Highway Patrol will assume responsibility for the traffic-related aspects of the inquiry.

The collision caused all of the lanes of the northbound 710 freeway to be closed for several hours to investigate the crash.