02.20.2022 | 1:26 AM | SEAL BEACH – Two people were killed and several others were injured when a wrong-way driver crashed into oncoming traffic, early Sunday morning.
Callers reported a vehicle going northbound in southbound lanes of the I-405 Freeway near the I-605 Freeway around 1:26 AM.
Moments later additional callers reported that the vehicle had collided with oncoming traffic just north of the I-605.
First responders arriving on scene located seven vehicles involved in the collision and a total of five people injured.
Two of the five victims were killed in the crash and a third sustained major injuries. The remaining two victims were evaluated for injuries at the scene but declined transport to a hospital.
Humberto Arteaga Jr. III, a 21-year-old resident of La Puente, was the driver of a black 2016 Honda Civic and died at the scene.
Another man, 30-year-old Steven Harvey of Midway City, was the passenger in a black 2012 Honda Civic and also died at the scene.
The driver of the 2012 Honda Civic, identified only as a 28-year-old resident of Ranchos Palos Verdes, was trapped in the wreckage of the crash and had to be extricated.
It took firefighters over an hour to free the man before rushing him to Long Beach Memorial Hospital with major injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the crash and potential involvement of drugs or alcohol remain under investigation although a blood technician was requested to respond in connection with the crash.
Anyone with information regarding the collision is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol’s Westminster Office at (714) 892-4426.
