SUV driver dies in crash into parked truck along 5 Freeway in Irvine

A man died early Wednesday when his vehicle crashed into a semitruck parked on the shoulder of the southbound 5 Freeway in Irvine, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol officials believe the man was traveling about 80 mph on the freeway when he drifted across three lanes just north of Barranca Parkway and slammed the 2008 Ford Excursion he was driving into the parked tractor-trailer on the right shoulder.

CHP and Orange County Fire Authority officials responded to the scene shortly before 2:30 a.m. The crash caused a fire, which 20 firefighters extinguished in about 30 minutes.

The driver of the SUV, who was not wearing a seat belt, died instantly, officials said. Officials have not identified him pending notification of his family.

The Highway Patrol closed the right three lanes of the freeway until about 5:30 a.m.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the CHP office in Santa Ana at (714) 567-6000.