A multiple vehicle collision on Wednesday that resulted in 10 people injured — two critically — in Malibu was caused by a driver who fell asleep, authorities said on Thursday.
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Nine people were injured in a multiple-vehicle crash Wednesday on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu injured nine people. Paramedics were sent to the 20100 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Big Rock Drive at 1:22 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. (Photo by Mike Roberto, Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)
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Nine people were injured in a multiple-vehicle crash Wednesday on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu injured nine people. Paramedics were sent to the 20100 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Big Rock Drive at 1:22 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. (Photo by Mike Roberto, Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)
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Nine people were injured in a multiple-vehicle crash Wednesday on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu injured nine people. Paramedics were sent to the 20100 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Big Rock Drive at 1:22 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. (Photo by Mike Roberto, Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)
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The crash was reported at 1:23 p.m. on the 20100 block of West Pacific Coast Highway at Big Rock Drive, said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Randall Wright.
A man who drove a black Ford truck fell asleep and drifted into oncoming traffic, causing five vehicles to be involved in a crash that resulted in 10 injuries, said L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Detective Richard Curry.
The truck was in the eastbound No. 1 lane of PCH when it drifted into the oncoming westbound No. 1 lane and sideswiped a Toyota minivan, Curry said.
That crash sent the van — which was in the westbound lane — out of control and into the eastbound traffic lanes where it collided head-on with a Ford Explorer, Curry said.
After sideswiping the van, Curry said, the truck crashed head-on into a red Lexus, which caused both vehicles to spin out of control and hit a white Lexus headed westbound.
Curry said of the 10 people injured, nine were sent to the hospital.
Two people were critically injured, Curry said, but hospital officials have said their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
When fire personnel arrived at 1:34 p.m., there were two people trapped who had to be cut out of their vehicles with power tools, Wright said.
The two extricated were in critical condition, Wright said, while three other patients were listed in stable condition and four sustained minor injuries.
*Traffic Collision With Persons Trapped* #Malibu FS-70 20100 Block of West Pacific Coast Highway. @lacofd Battalion 5 reports 2 person trapped. @LACoFireAirOps helicopter requested.
— LACounty Fire PIO (@LACoFDPIO) February 7, 2018
PCH was blocked in both directions while crews worked to clear the scene.
One southbound lane was reopened about 5:15 p.m., and all lanes in both directions were reopened by about 6:45 p.m., according to Caltrans.
City News Service contributed to this article.
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