Driver Killed After Truck Blows Tire
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A Los Angeles man was killed instantly Tuesday after a tire on his semi-trailer truck blew out and the truck skidded across the Golden Gate freeway in Pacoima and slammed into a bridge abutment, authorities said.
Francisco Romo, 39, was decapitated when his truck struck the abutment just south of the Hollywood Freeway shortly after 4 p.m., California Highway Patrol Dispatcher Dottie Rice said.
Two passengers, who were not identified, had moderate injuries and were taken to Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley, Rice said. Their conditions were unknown.
The truck was traveling about 55 m.p.h. when the accident occurred, Rice said. Romo, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partly ejected and struck his head against the abutment.
Two lanes of the freeway were closed until 6:30 p.m., backing up rush-hour traffic.
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