At Least 2 Dead in Multi-Vehicle Crash on 134 in Pasadena Reportedly Caused by Wrong-Way Driver

A deadly multi-vehicle collision Sunday morning on the westbound 134 near San Rafael Avenue in Pasadena allegedly caused by a wrong-way driver killed at least two people and seriously injured three others, authorities said.

“First responders are still looking through the wreckage for additional victims,” Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian told Pasadena Now.

According to California Highway Patrol logs, the crash occurred at 8:12 a.m. when a vehicle entered from the San Rafael off-ramp traveling eastbound in westbound lanes.

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, Derderian said.

The collision blocked all westbound lanes, prompting CHP to implement a hard closure at Fair Oaks Avenue of all westbound lanes. Officials directed westbound traffic from the 210/134 interchange at Orange Grove Boulevard. Side streets and the Colorado Street Bridge are heavily congested as a result.

City News Service reported that the Sigalert will last 6 to 8 hours.

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.