MONROVIA — Seven people went to the hospital early Saturday after a car containing a family crashed into another car that was disabled with a flat tire on the 210 Freeway in Monrovia, authorities said.
The crash took place just after 5 a.m. on the westbound 210 Freeway, just east of Huntington Drive, California Highway Patrol officer Ed Jacobs said.
A 20-year-old Ontario man was driving a Volkswagen Jetta when it became disabled with a tire in the carpool lane, CHP Acting Sergeant Robyn Madeira said. His passenger, a 21-year-old El Monte man, exited the car and was standing in front of it when it was struck from behind by a Toyota Camry.
The impact pushed the Jetta forward, in turn striking the El Monte man, Madeira said. He suffered facial lacerations and other injuries but was alert when taken to a hospital where he was listed in stable condition.
The driver of the disabled Jetta suffered minor injuries and was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, the sergeant said, though his alleged intoxication was not suspected to have played a role in the crash.
The Camry that struck the disabled Jetta contained a Cathedral City family of five, Madeira said. A man who was driving and his wife suffered minor injuries. Two daughters, ages 17 and 24, suffered moderate injuries, and an 8-year-old son suffered minor injuries.
Two of the patients were unconscious immediately following the crash, according to CHP logs.
Madeira said the investigation had not turned up evidence of reckless driving or high speed involved in the crash, as was initially reported to the CHP by at least one 9-1-1 caller to the CHP.
The crash prompted officials to issue a Sig Alert on the westbound 210 Freeway through 6:38 a.m., according to CHP logs.
Officers from the Baldwin Park office of the CHP were handling the investigation.