2 Crashes on 405 in Encino Due to Rainstorm

A stretch along the northbound 405 Freeway in Encino was the scene Sunday of a pair of unrelated crashes on wet pavement that involved at least nine vehicles, the California Highway Patrol said.

Both crashes were at the bottom of the long downgrade from Sepulveda Pass, in an area where construction has narrowed lanes and reduced the speed limit to 55 miles per hour.

The first crash was a seven-car pileup on the northbound freeway, approaching Ventura Boulevard, was reported to the CHP at 6 a.m. Paramedics rushed three people to area hospitals. Their conditions were not immediately known, according to a department statement.

``At the time of the collision, the roadway was wet from a mist preceding a rain storm," read the statement.

Traffic was detoured off the freeway at Skirball Center Drive. The entire freeway was re-opened about 8:25 a.m. About 30 minutes later, and also in the rain, the CHP reported another crash on the northbound freeway at the same place, where one of two vehicles was engulfed in flames.

It was not immediately known if there were any injuries, said CHP Officer Monica Posada. An official from the Los Angeles Fire Department could not be reached for comment. Firefighters and paramedics were notified of the crash at 8:55 a.m., according to the CHP. All lanes of traffic were cleared at 10:43 a.m., according to the CHP.

–City News Service