Local News in Brief : Pesticide Truck Driver Killed in 2-Car Crash

The driver of a truck carrying pesticides was fatally injured when his vehicle overturned after hitting two cars on the southbound Hollywood Freeway near Oxnard Street in North Hollywood, authorities said.

No chemicals were spilled in the 11 a.m. accident, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Grajeda. The driver, who was not identified since relatives had not been notified, died of head, chest and abdominal injuries shortly after being taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, hospital spokeswoman Lori Hull said.

The pesticide truck made an erratic lane change, clipped the right rear end of one car, struck the rear of another car and overturned, Grajeda said. The driver was thrown from the truck, he said. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities closed the southbound off-ramp to Oxnard Street for about 45 minutes after the accident, causing heavy delays for southbound traffic, Grajeda said. Witnesses told the CHP that other vehicles--in addition to the truck and the two autos--were involved in the accident, but the drivers left the scene and made no reports, Grajeda said.