The father of a 19-year-old woman killed in a fiery chain-reaction crash on the 5 Freeway in Commerce, Southern California, said Saturday night his daughter and her friends were on their way home from Disneyland when the crash occurred.
Street racing was the likely catalyst for the crash that left three dead and four others in critical condition, according to the California Highway Patrol.
"I'm sorry this happened to both of us. We would never want any of this," William Littlefield, father of the teen killed, said. "Michelle would be disappointed she was killed. But she would never hold any ill will."
Michelle Littlefield, identified by her father William, was one among three killed Saturday just after midnight when a UPS truck collided with their Nissan.
Michelle and three of her close friends went to Disneyland for the day, he said. They were coming home on the 5 Freeway in northbound lanes when a UPS truck, just struck in a crash, was launched from the southbound side and landed on the Nissan.
Brian Lewandowski, 18, son of a homicide lieutenant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was also killed in the crash. Lewandowski and Michelle were killed as they sat in the back seat.
The roof was sheared off the Nissan in the crash, authorities said.
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The chain-reaction crash began when a Dodge Challenger and a Dodge Charger were racing at speeds of 90 mph. The Challenger tried to a pass a slower car when the driver lost control and struck the UPS truck.
The truck struck the median, went airborne and landed on the Nissan carrying Michelle and her friends on the north side of the freeway. The truck ultimately landed on a Ford Explorer that burst into flames.
Scott Treadway, a 30-year UPS veteran, was behind the wheel of the truck, and died in the crash.
One of the alleged street racers, identified as Dealio Lockhart, 35, of Whittier, was taken into custody and is facing vehicular manslaughter charges. A second driver fled the scene and is at large, according to the CHP.
William said his daughter was a College of the Canyons student and worked at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
While he was absolutely devastated, he said he and Michelle's mother "hold no strife whatsoever against the driver."
