Sunday, June 21, 2015

THE DEADLY U.S. ROADS: 1 TEEN WOMAN KILLED, SEVERAL TEENS INJURED AFTER FIERY CRASH IN NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA




JUNE 21, 2015

NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

A 19-year-old woman died and several other young adults were injured after a fiery two-car crash in Northridge early Sunday, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department and units from the LAPD’s Devonshire Division responded to the fatal collision, which occurred at the intersection of Roscoe Boulevard and Lindley Avenue around 3:40 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

One of the vehicles erupted in flames following the crash, a desk officer with LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division said.

A total of five people — three females and two males — were initially said to be injured, some critically. One of the female victims later died, police said.

She has been identified by the L.A. County coroner’s office as 19-year-old Desirae Crystal Crittenden.

Authorities have not released the names of those injured in the collision, only stating that they were all between the ages of 18 and 21. Some were in critical condition, according to the desk officer, who did not provide a specific number.

No further details about the collision have been released. The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

The deadly U.S. Roads:  more than 34,000 people are killed every year and millions injured.  This is one of the highest death rates among developed nations at about 1 person in 10,000 dead each and every year. 

By contrast, about 15,000 people are killed every year by guns.