Some residents in Eltham said the junction where the crash happened was “one of the most dangerous” in south-east London.
“This is a very dangerous road. I didn’t hear anything but when I looked out of the window I saw loads of police cars and emergency service vehicles,” one resident said.
“The police were here for ages and the road didn’t start to open properly until Friday morning.”
Neighbours have suggested the incident was almost “unsurprising” given the speed at which drivers travel on the route.
One said: “They drive really recklessly and it’s a very busy road, so I see how it could happen.”
Another resident said they had been “brought to tears” by news of the incident and recalled seeing “loads of emergency vehicles” throughout the night.
Clive Efford, the Labour MP for Eltham and Chislehurst, said: “This is a terrible tragedy, and my heart goes out to the family of the victims.
“The incident is now under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and there are many questions that I will be putting to them which I hope they will be able to answer in their final report.”