Police: Driver Ran Red Light, Caused 5-Car Crash

This story was updated at 4:20 p.m.

A five-car crash that closed one block of Colorado Avenue for about two hours Thursday ocurred when a driver ran a red light and sent another vehicle rolling, police said.

The crash hospitalized the female driver of the second car, who might have sustained injuries to her head and neck.

It ocurred at about 12:35 p.m. when a vehicle that was headed west on Colorado Avenue blew through a red light at the intersection at 17th Street. It smashed into a car that was northbound on 17th, causing the second car to roll over and hit a third car that was soutbound on 17th, according to Santa Monica Police Sgt. Richard Lewis.

The driver who reportedly ran the red light struck two more vehicles before coming to a stop, Lewis said.

Colorado was closed between 16th and 17th streets until 2:15 p.m. Road closures were already in effect in the area due to Expo Line construction.

Police were investigating the cause of the accident.