Aug. 01--The Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach has reopened to traffic in both directions following a fatal vehicle accident early Saturday that forced its closure, officials said.
A motorist veered from the westbound lanes into oncoming traffic and collided with two other vehicles shortly after 7 a.m., leaving one person dead and three others injured, authorities said.
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The male driver of one vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. Another male driver was taken to a hospital in critical condition, said Marlene Arrona, spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department.
The unidentified man who was driving the wrong way was also taken to a local hospital in critical condition, Arrona said.
A police officer also suffered minor injuries to his arm while trying to extricate one of the drivers, she said.
The bridge was immediately shut down after the crash and remained closed to traffic until about 3 p.m.
carlos.lozano@latimes.com
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Update
4 p.m.: This post has been updated with new information about the victims and the reopening of the bridge.
