Castaic, CA : Woman was killed and eight other people injured today in a three-vehicle collision on the northbound Interstate 5 on Sunday afternoon August 31st 2014

A woman was killed and eight other people injured today in a three-vehicle collision on the northbound Interstate 5 in Castaic, a California Highway Patrol spokeswoman said. The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. Sunday and involved two pick-up trucks and a minivan on the freeway just north of Lake Hughes Road and just south of where the freeway lanes cross over each other to ascend to the Grapevine, Capt. Thomas Perry of Fire Station No. 149 in Castaic said. The two pick-up trucks were parked tandem on the shoulder of the freeway, and the deceased woman, described as in her 40s, was outside one of the trucks at the time of the crash, according to a witness, Perry said. The occupants of the pick-up trucks were friends helping each other move: the deceased woman, her husband and three daughters in one truck, two men in their 40s in the other, Perry said. A 24-year-old male and a 23-year-old female rode in the minivan, he said. The family of the deceased was transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, all with minor injuries. The two men traveling with them refused medical attention. And the van’s occupants were transported to Henry Mayo as trauma patients, Perry said. Fire engine 149 arrived on scene at 2:02 p.m., Perry said. An additional engine and squad joined them upon request.Three ambulances responded to the crash, he said. Perry said a firefighter/paramedic from his station pronounced the woman dead at the scene. A coroner’s van was sent to the location at 2:36 p.m. Northbound lanes No. 3 and 4 were shut down in the area, the CHP spokeswoman said around 3:10 p.m. Traffic backup on the northbound Interstate 5 and on surrounding surface streets remained an issue after 5 p.m., according to reports from the scene. Reports also cited near collisions and vehicles running red lights in Castaic. All lanes of the northbound Interstate 5 were reopened just after 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Source : One killed, 8 injured in Castaic freeway crash