A fatal motorcycle crash on the southbound 5 freeway at the 210 east Thursday morning caused heavy traffic to back up throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

At approximately 5:24 a.m., a Palmdale resident driving a 2004 Chrysler Aspen in the carpool lane of the 5 freeway slowed his vehicle down for traffic ahead of the driver of a 2014 BMW motorcycle, according to CHP officials. 

For unknown reasons, the motorcyclist failed to slow for traffic and collided with the back of the Aspen, causing the motorcycle to go down.

Witnesses at the scene reported that CPR was being administered to the motorcyclist immediately following the crash, said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

LAFD first responders declared the victim dead on arrival, Humphrey said.

He was described only as a male Bakersfield resident in his 60’s, with his identity not yet released pending next of kin notification, according to CHP.

All lanes were stopped as of 5:42 a.m., with a Sig Alert issued for the carpool, No. 1 and No. 2 lanes until at least 8:20 a.m. The No. 2 lane was re-opened at 8:06 a.m., according to CHP. 

All lanes were re-opened by 8:36 a.m. However, at 9:03 a.m., a three-vehicle collision was blocking the No. 2 lane on the 5 south at Roxford Street.

Balboa, the Old Road, Sierra Highway and San Fernando Road were all backed up with bumper to bumper traffic following the crash as motorists attempted to avoid the area. Traffic on the the Southbound 14 freeway was backed up all the way to Agua Dulce.

As of 7:38 a.m., both the southbound 5 freeway and southbound 14 freeway remained in bumper to bumper traffic, as well as most alternates and surface streets.

Railroad Avenue was reported to be particularly bad, as ongoing roadway construction has the street restriped to one lane in each direction from south of Oak Ridge Drive to south of Drayton Street.

In addition, a number of minor traffic collisions were reported in delayed areas. Witnesses even reported a number of wrong-way drivers attempting to bypass traffic. 

A longtime Santa Clarita resident stuck in traffic for almost an hour so far — and not much closer to her destination — said she had never seen traffic this bad in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the affected areas and allow for extra travel time Thursday morning.

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