Two people were killed and three people injured in a crash in Sylmar Friday night, officials said.
The accident happened on San Fernando Road, under the 5 Freeway, just south of the 14 Freeway around 8 p.m.
Police said a small black car, barely recognizable after what appears to have been a high-speed collision, may have been part of a street race before the crash.
A man who lives about 50 yards from the crash site said he didn't hear any screeching or skidding before or after the crash.
“It was loud, but it was dry. It was a big bang and that was it," Hector Castro said.
Witnesses said the black car was going south, possibly racing another silver car, when it lost control and smashed into silver minivan head-on.
Two of the three people inside the black car were killed, and the third person was taken to a hospital in critical condition after being extricated from the mangled car with the Jaws of Life. One of the other two victims was thrown from the vehicle.
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Police said the car only seats two people.
Two people inside the minivan are being treated for moderate injuries.
"This is not a racetrack, these are surface streets. (There are) several elements, from grease, oil and other drivers driving the opposite direction, so these individuals are driving at a high rate of speed, lose control of their vehicle, cannot make the turn and they cause an accident," LAPD Sgt. Frank Preciado said at the scene.
Castro, the neighbor, said people often drive fast down the stretch of road.
"They go fast. Hopefully the city will do something, maybe put another light over there," he said.
Police expected the area of San Fernando Road at Gentili Ranch Road to be closed until very early Saturday morning.
