A three-vehicle traffic collision resulted in a fire in the eastbound lanes of the Gerald Desmond Bridge at its crest, leading to the death of one driver on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 7:11am, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
Earlier in the morning, LBPD officers observed a vehicle driving erratically and crashing through barricades in the area of Special Olympics events. Officers attempted to follow the vehicle through the downtown Long Beach bicycle path after it struck numerous objects but lost sight of the vehicle.
Witnesses directed officers toward the Gerald Desmond Bridge regarding a multi-vehicle traffic collision, and upon arrival, officers found two vehicles on fire and attempted to rescue the drivers. Despite life-saving efforts by several officers, one driver succumbed to his injuries and was determined deceased at the scene. An officer sustained minor injuries to his arm during his attempt to extricate the driver, and he was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released, according to LBPD officials.
Long Beach Fire Department personnel provided rescue-and-fire-suppression services, as well as medical aid, at the scene. They transported the two remaining drivers in critical condition to local hospitals.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2012 Mercedes-Benz being driven by Alvin Ray Shaw, a 28-year-old resident of Hawthorne, Calif., entered the eastbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard at Golden Shore traveling westbound toward the Gerald Desmond Bridge against eastbound traffic.
At the crest point of the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Mercedes, still traveling westbound against eastbound traffic, collided with a 2014 Ford Fusion, driven by a 21-year-old resident of San Pedro, and a 2010 Nissan pickup truck. Both the Ford and Nissan vehicles were traveling eastbound in the indicated lanes of the Gerald Desmond Bridge. The resulting collision caused the Mercedes-Benz and the Nissan truck to catch fire, and the Mercedes appeared to be the same vehicle that had seen driving erratically and through barricades earlier.
The deceased male driver of the 2010 Nissan truck is not being identified at this time. The Los Angeles County Coroner will make positive identification and notify next of kin. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision, according to LBPD officials.
Those with information regarding the incident can contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Sirilo Garcia at (562) 570-7355.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIPLA, plus the tip, to 274637 (CRIMES) or visit LACrimeStoppers.org .
