Man killed in multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash on 101 Freeway in Encino

LOS ANGELES - A multi-vehicle collision claimed the life of a 20-year-old man early Saturday on the 101 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The chain-reaction crash, which involved several motorists and individuals outside their vehicles, halted northbound traffic through the Encino area for much of the morning.

What we know:

The CHP first received reports at 1:48 a.m. of a black sedan stalled in the fast lane with its hazard lights on, south of White Oak Avenue. 

Within minutes, callers reported that individuals were standing outside the disabled vehicle. 

A second collision occurred when a vehicle rear-ended the sedan, triggering a pileup that eventually involved five cars.

Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters arrived to find one person pinned under a vehicle. 

That person died at the scene.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the victim beyond his age.

 It remains unclear if the victim was a driver or passenger of the initial disabled vehicle, or a bystander from another car involved in the pileup. 

What they're saying:

In the wake of the tragedy, officials emphasized the dangers of exiting a vehicle on a busy freeway.

"If the vehicle is disabled and unable to move, [drivers] should remain seated inside with their seat belts on." 

Officials said the safest alternative is to move the vehicle to the right shoulder if at all possible.

What you can do:

Transportation officials urge drivers who experience a breakdown on the freeway to follow these safety steps:

• Try to steer the vehicle to the right shoulder and away from traffic flow.
• If stuck in a lane, stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and call 911 immediately.
• Do not attempt to walk across freeway lanes or stand behind a disabled vehicle, as low visibility at night significantly increases the risk of secondary "chain-reaction" strikes.