A 24-year-old man died after a car crashed into the backyard of a home in Mission Hills Monday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The incident was reported at around 11 p.m. on the 10000 block of N. Burnet Avenue. The car crashed off the 118 Freeway and down into an embankment before landing in the backyard.
Jessica Macon Bell said she heard a loud bang but initially didn't think much of it since crashes on the freeway happen every so often.
"Once my dog started barking like crazy, we came out and seen what it was and it was a car in our backyard," Macon Bell said.
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According to residents in the immediate area, there is nothing but a mound of dirt and a fence that separates their homes from the freeway. They said they're advocating for stronger security to keep them safe from any future crashes.
"We definitely need a block wall, well reinforced, and, because this time, they're just landing on the backyard, but what if it were landing over the house," said Daniel Garcia, a neighbor.
One person, who was the driver of the vehicle, was pronounced dead, CHP said. Law enforcement did not release the name of the deceased, but only described that individual as a 24-year-old man from Pacoima.
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It was not clear if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.