Driver, Passengers of Car at Fault Flee Scene of Big Rig Wreck on 94

Investigators are searching for at least three people who fled the scene of a Monday afternoon pileup on state Route 94 after the suspects abandoned their car and drove off in another vehicle authorities believe was called to pick them up, according to a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Jake Sanchez says the driver and occupants of a Ford Crown Victoria suspected of causing a wreck with a big rig and four vehicles left their damaged car and escaped the scene in a green Mitsubishi.

Witnesses say the Crown Victoria, which appeared to have been a taxi cab at one time, was driving recklessly and lost control, hitting the big rig, which veered right and into another car, Sanchez says. 

After the accident, the occupants of the Crown Victoria, described as three or four black males in their teens, gathered their things and took off in a Mitsubishi that pulled up. They are all being sought on suspicion of felony hit and run.

Two people were injured in the crash, including the truck’s driver, who had pain in his arm and shoulder, and the driver of a Nissan Rogue, who complained of pain in her right arm. Both were transported for medical treatment.

The 12:30 p.m. crash shut down the westbound lanes of the highway near Federal Boulevard, bringing traffic to a standstill. The crash caused the big rig to jack-knife, spilling a load of pallets and blocking all lanes.

The freeway was re-opened about 1:45 p.m., with a crew from CalTrans on the scene clearing away debris.