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5 killed, 7 injured in multi-vehicle crash in L.A.

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5 killed and 7 others injured in a multi-vehicle crash at a gas station on South La Brea and Slauson avenues on Thursday afternoon. 

According to officials, the crash was reported around 1:40 p.m. 

Video shows the fatal crash was caused when a dark-colored Mercedes speeds through a red light and hit 2 vehicles in the intersection. 

The vehicles skidded into a gas station in a ball of fire. 

California Highway Patrol officials initially said 6 people were killed but later clarified the fatalities to 5. 

Among the deceased: a pregnant woman and her infant. 

Witness Veronica Esquival said, “All of the sudden, a baby literally flew from the middle of the intersection to the middle of the gas station and landed right on the floor in front of me. One of the workers came and saw me with the baby and took the baby out of my hands.” 

3 vehicles were destroyed in the collision and at least 2 others were damaged. 

“We have a total of at least six to seven vehicles involved, at minimum, at this time. Three became engulfed in flames,” said CHP spokesman Franco Pepsi.

The cause of the crash was under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.