Woman killed in 7-car pileup

A Huntington Beach woman was killed in a seven-car pileup Tuesday at Talbert Avenue and Magnolia Street in Fountain Valley.

Anne Mailman, 69, was stopped at a red light about 1 p.m. when a gray Honda Pilot ran into the back of her white Lexus ES 330, according to Fountain Valley police.

The impact from the Honda Pilot pushed Mailman’s car forward, causing damage to five other cars, police said.

Craig Woolbert’s Dodge Ram 1500 was stopped in the left-hand turn lane when his truck was sideswiped by the Lexus, according to police.

“I was actually looking down at my radio and not really aware at all of what was around me, and all of the sudden there was this incredible loud explosion of a bang,” Woolbert said. “When I looked over the car that hit me [the Lexus] was just a big white crumpled ball of steel.”

Woolbert said there was no warning the crash was coming.

“There was no brakes, no squeal,” Woolbert said.

Woolbert’s truck was impounded as part of the investigation.

Mailman’s sister, Phyllis Waters, said Mailman’s death is a tragedy and she will be dearly missed by her family.

“She was a very, very special lady. I loved her my whole life,” Waters said.

Fountain Valley police are investigating the crash and encourage anyone with information to contact the Traffic Bureau at (714) 593-4481.

JOSH ADEN may be reached at (714) 966-4609 or at josh.aden@latimes.com.