Two killed in freeway crash in Pomona

Two men died and another man was injured Wednesday following a two-vehicle crash involving a big rig on a transition road between the 60 and 71 freeways, authorities said.
The crash was first reported just after 8:52 a.m. on the transition road connecting the eastbound 60 Freeway to the southbound 71 Freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said. The crash involved a big rig and a box truck.
Firefighters pronounced the driver of the big rig, estimated to be in his 40s, and a passenger of the box truck, estimated to be in his 20s, dead at the scene, Los Angeles County Fire Department and CHP officials said.
Fire Capt. Larry Jordan described the crash as “one of the worst I’ve ever seen.”
The box truck involved in the crash was “almost unrecognizable,” he said.
A rescue helicopter was landed on the freeway to rush the driver of the box truck, a man in his 30s, to a hospital, Jordan said. Though his injuries did not appear major, he was flown by helicopter as a precaution do to the violent nature of the crash.
Firefighters had to cut apart the wreckage to access the victims, fire officials added.
Judging by the wreckage, Jordan said it appeared the big rig was pulled over to the side of the road, with the driver outside of the truck, when the big rig was struck by the box truck.
“ We suspect (the big rig driver) was toward the rear set of wheels,” Jordan added.
The CHP investigation remained in its early stages.
It was unclear what cargo, if any, the big rig had been carrying.
The box truck was loaded with food products such as candy bars and change, which spilled all over traffic lanes, Jordan said. CHP logs indicated it was operated by an Upland-based vending machine company.
CHP officials shut down the transition road well into the afternoon as the investigation continued.
Authorities briefly shut down all eastbound lanes of the 60 Freeway as they landed the helicopter in traffic lanes, Villalobos said, however only the right-hand lane of the freeway remained closed following the helicopter’s departure.
The crash was being investigated by officers from the Baldwin Park office of the CHP.

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