Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles reopens after 5 killed in crash on rain-slicked freeway

California freeway reopens after 5 killed in crash

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — A California freeway has reopened after a crash on the rain-slicked roadway killed four juveniles and one man.

California Highway Patrol Officer John Lutz says the man died after his pickup overturned and struck the center divider on Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles at 11:55 p.m. Sunday.

Lutz says four youngsters in another car were killed when it hit the truck. Two more cars also crashed, leaving one person critically injured.

The southbound lanes at Newhall Pass were closed for nearly nine hours.

Lutz says rain was a contributing factor in the crash about 25 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. But the main factor — such as unsafe speed or a mechanical problem — is under investigation.

The names and ages of the victims were not immediately available.