Dump Truck Crashes Into Pacoima Apartment

PACOIMA (CBSLA) — A dump truck crashed into a Pacoima apartment building Tuesday afternoon, causing injuries, officials said.

The crash happened just after 4 p.m. at 12850 W. Branford St., where a male driver and two women at the scene suffered injuries, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

The driver declined medical care, while the women were taken to a nearby hospital.

Firefighters initially scrambled to locate a man who lives in one of the apartment units until he was later determined to be safe at work, Humphrey said.

(credit: CBS)

Security video captured the moment when a a silver Mazda followed several cars to make a left when it was broadsided by the dump truck. The collision sent the truck into the apartment building.

Yajaira Ramos, who lives a few units over from the apartment where the truck hit, said the impact felt like an earthquake.

Children ran out, Ramos says, “screaming hysterically, [saying] ‘Please help. Help my grandma.'”

Another neighbor, Ramiro Gutierrez helped out: “I just went in and the first person I see under all the scrum and all the dry wall,  I helped her up… She was in lots of pain.”

Building inspectors were on scene to assess any structural damage. Later, tenants were escorted into their apartments to get their belongings since the building is being evacuated for the time being.

 

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