A fiery multi-vehicle crash on the Ventura (134) Freeway in Pasadena, allegedly caused by a wrong-way driver, left two people dead and three people hospitalized Sunday, authorities said.

The accident on the westbound freeway at North San Rafael Avenue occurred around 8:10 a.m. Sunday when a vehicle entered the freeway from the San Rafael Avenue exit and continued eastbound in the westbound lanes, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The crash involved a white sedan, a silver minivan and two unknown vehicles – with at least one of the vehicles bursting into flames, the CHP said.

Paramedics and firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 8:15 a.m., Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. The accident killed two people and paramedics took three people to an area trauma center, Derderian said.

One of the deceased was identified by the coroner’s office as 31-year-old William Yost.

The accident caused traffic congestion in the immediate area and had a severe impact on the Colorado Street Bridge, she added. A Sigalert was issued for approximately four to eight hours, closing the westbound highway at Orange Grove Boulevard.