SANTA CLARITA – Authorities have identified the female passenger who was killed Sunday evening when a tow truck rear-ended another vehicle on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in Santa Clarita.
She was 48-year-old Murdewiyanti Finn of Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
The crash occurred around 6:34 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, on the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway north of Sierra Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A flatbed truck owned by Castaic Tow was northbound on the freeway in the number 5 lane when it crashed into the rear of a 2015 Nissan, the CHP said.
Finn, who was a passenger in the Nissan, died at the scene; and a 17-year-old boy who was also a passenger was hospitalized with major injuries, the CHP said.
The 53-year-old driver of the Nissan was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, and a 12-year-old passenger was taken to a hospital with complaint of pain. The genders of the latter two victims was not available.
The tow truck driver was a 25-year-old man who was not injured, CHP officers said.
Alcohol and/or drugs were not suspected as factors in the crash, the CHP said.
A SigAlert at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, closed all northbound freeway lanes but they were gradually reopened before midnight.
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Mike says
Everyone here is blaming the CHP. The blame lies with the driver of the truck. Period. All of you wanted to defund the police. And that’s exactly what Newsome and other city leaders throughout California did. You got what you wanted, now you’re all whining about the outcomes of those actions like a bunch of babies.
There’s this notion in society today that the police need more training in order to prevent all of the negative outcomes involving police. I submit to you that it is the public who needs training. It is the public who needs to learn about accountability. It is the public who needs to be held to a higher standard. Maybe if people started obeying simple laws and having common courtesy for one another, there wouldn’t be all of this debachery in our streets.
Crossroads says
Yes CHP what’s going on to many fatalities on the 14 freeway you guys need to be more vigilant and start arresting all these idiot speeding drivers
Laughing says
It is a ticket, with a steep fine.
Slow down idiots says
Well knowing that truck driver on the 14 freeway he was probably using his cell phone
In the CHP is not doing a good job having these gravel trucks they’re supposed to be going 55 they’re doing 80 and 90 that’s a little ridiculous CHP you need to do a better job
Freeway Crash says
“Alcohol and/or drugs were not suspected as factors…”
Distracted driver…
Crossroads says
He should be screwed driving and not paying attention they should take his dum
Ass to jail for killing innocent person
Robert says
That tow-truck driver is screwed financially for life.