Pesticide Spilled In Lake Balboa Crash That Kills Man, Injures Woman

LOS ANGELES, CA — A two-vehicle crash in Lake Balboa Tuesday left a pickup truck driver in his 30s dead and a woman driving a Lexus compact executive two-door coupé critically injured.

Paramedics were sent to the 17300 block of Saticoy Street, near Louise Avenue, at 9:42 a.m., according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition, Humphrey said.

According to the LAFD, a blue Lexus RC and a 2021 white Toyota Tacoma collided, and the truck struck a tree and a commercial building, damaging a natural gas meter. LAFD crews stopped a natural gas leak, and there was no fire.

"The adult male -- sole occupant of the pickup truck -- is deceased and remains at scene," Humphrey said. "The critically injured adult female was the driver and sole occupant of the coupe. She is being treated at a regional trauma center. No other injuries have been reported.

"Though there was rain in the area this morning, the specific cause of and any factors related to the collision will be formally determined by LAPD Valley Traffic Division investigators."

The man's name was being withheld by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, pending notification of relatives.

SoCalGas crews were sent to the scene, along with building and health inspectors. A restaurant was damaged, and a health inspection will be required, the LAFD reported.

"The pickup that struck the building was from a commercial pest control firm," Humphrey said.

"Because the forceful collision(s) caused that truck's cargo of commercial pesticide containers to be ejected alongside the roadway and building, an LAFD Hazardous Materials Squad has been summoned per protocol to survey the scene and assure no actual pesticide product has been spilled."

No one at the scene had any medical complaints, and there was no formal evacuation, Humphrey said. Traffic was routed away from the area while an investigation was conducted.

Anyone with information regarding the fatal collision was urged to call LAPD Valley Traffic Detective Jonathan Otrosina at 818-644-8036 or Officer Michael Sison at 818-644-8022. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be made to 877-527-3247.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477.

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