Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s South Traffic Detectives are investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred on Western Avenue, just south of 108^th Street in the 77^th Street Area.

On January 23, 2003 at approximately 3:15 a.m., the victims, a male Black adult and female Black adult, in a 1985 Ford Granada, 4 –door sedan, were traveling southbound on Western Avenue in the center lane, when they were rear-ended by a 1993 Cadillac, which was occupied by two male Blacks.

The Cadillac was traveling southbound on Western Avenue at a high rate of speed when the collision occurred approximately two hundred feet north of the intersection. The impact of the Cadillac caused the fuel tank of the Ford to rupture and ignite into flames.

The Ford continued to travel southbound on Western Avenue, totally engulfed in flames. The Cadillac sustained major front-end damage as it continued to travel southbound on Western Avenue. Both vehicles spun as they traveled southbound before coming to rest approximately four hundred feet south of the intersection. The Ford continued to burn when it came to rest after colliding into another vehicle that was parked on the eastside of Western Avenue.

The two victims inside the Ford were trapped inside the burning vehicle, and subsequently burned to death. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the victims in the Ford vehicle dead. At this time, the victims have not been positively identified.

The driver and passenger of the Cadillac were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and are being held for observation. Detectives believe that the driver was under the influence of narcotics. Upon release, the driver of the Cadillac will be taken into custody for Vehicular Murder.

The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by South Traffic Detectives. For additional information contact Detective Mike Farrell at 213-290-6063. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.