A fiery crash on the northbound Golden State (5) Freeway in Sylmar claimed two lives late last week, and one of the victims has now been identified. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Thursday that 35-year-old Amanda Castillo was one of the two people killed in the collision. The identity of the second victim has not yet been released pending official confirmation and notification of next of kin.
The deadly crash occurred at approximately 10:41 p.m. on May 29, just south of Roxford Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers responding to the scene found that a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee had collided with a trailer attached to a semi-truck, causing the Jeep to burst into flames. The impact triggered the deployment of the Jeep’s airbags, but the intense fire made rescue efforts impossible before both occupants were fatally injured.
Firefighters arrived quickly and managed to extinguish the fire, but both individuals inside the Jeep were pronounced dead at the scene. Castillo’s identity was confirmed days later through forensic examination. The semi-truck involved in the crash sustained significant damage, but the driver was reportedly unharmed and remained at the scene to speak with investigators.
Following the crash, CHP issued a SigAlert and closed three northbound lanes of the freeway for several hours overnight. The closure allowed investigators to examine the scene and remove debris safely. Authorities are still working to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether factors such as speed, driver distraction, or impairment played any role.
“This is a tragic accident that claimed the lives of two motorists,” said CHP Captain E.A. Krusey in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the families affected by this devastating loss. We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine what happened and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The CHP is urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has relevant dashcam footage to come forward and assist in the investigation. As the community mourns the sudden loss of Amanda Castillo and the unidentified second victim, loved ones are left searching for answers and hoping for justice in the wake of the tragedy.
