Injury Collision Closes LAX Sepulveda Tunnel

Update: 11:45 a.m. 

A Los Angeles Department of Public Works contract worker was critically injured in a pre-dawn crash caused by a suspected drunk driver near Los Angeles International Airport Thursday, authorities said.

The crash on northbound Sepulveda Boulevard in the tunnel between Century Boulevard and Imperial Highway was reported at 4:35 a.m., according to Los Angeles police Officer M. Scott.

The man was an LADWP contract worker, said Jimmy Tokeshi of the city agency. He was performing work for the city's Bureau of Street Lighting, Tokeshi said.

The driver, a man, was arrested at the scene, Scott said. His name was not immediately released.

Northbound Sepulveda Boulevard was closed at Imperial Highway, as was the Sepulveda Boulevard offramp from the westbound Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway as police investigated the crash, Scott said.

About two hours after the crash, authorities reopened one northbound lane of Sepulveda Boulevard. A short time later, the freeway offramp was reopened.