First Victim Identified In Wrong-Way Crash on 134 Freeway in Pasadena That
Killed 2, Injured 3

The first of two victims killed in a fiery multi-vehicle collision Sunday morning reportedly caused by a wrong-way driver on the westbound 134 near San Rafael Avenue in Pasadena has been identified.

City News Service said one of the deceased was identified by the Medical Examiner’s office as 31-year-old William Yost. He is believed to have been an Altadena resident.

The crash also seriously injured three others, authorities said.

The collisions occurred around 8:10 a.m. when a vehicle entered from the San Rafael off-ramp traveling eastbound in westbound lanes, according to California Highway Patrol logs.

A witness driving a silver Volvo reported that a white sedan collided with a silver minivan and two other vehicles. The witness told authorities the vehicles “exploded” upon impact.

Pasadena police officers were among the first to arrive at the scene and “played a big role” in rescue and traffic control operations, City spokesperson Lisa Derderian said.

The crash involved at least four vehicles, including a Honda, Toyota Prius, and two others that were so severely damaged they were initially unidentifiable to responders.

“All accidents are bad but this is one of the most horrific our first responders have experienced,” Derderian said.

The accident caused traffic congestion in the immediate area, heavily impacting the Colorado Street Bridge, she added. A Sigalert issued at 8:34 a.m. closing the westbound freeway at Orange Grove Boulevard was canceled at 1:08 p.m.