According to the California Highway Patrol logs, the incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. on 170th Street East and Rawhide Avenue.
Lancaster, CA – One person was killed, and two others were injured in a multi-vehicle collision on 170th Street East in the Lancaster area on Monday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
CHP officials have identified the deceased party as Lucille Henson, a 19-year-old resident of Lancaster. Two other people, identified as I. Zavalataseca, 49, of Lake Los Angeles, and A. Kadakia, 37, of Irvine, suffered major injuries in the crash.
The crash occurred on 170th Street East, north of Rawhide Avenue, at approximately 6:14 p.m. on December 15, 2025.
CHP’s preliminary investigation indicates that Zavalataseca was driving a 2023 Ford northbound on 170th Street East when the vehicle drifted into the southbound lanes for reasons still under investigation. The northbound Ford collided head-on with a southbound 2014 Ford, operated by Henson. After the initial impact, the 2014 Ford continued out of control and struck a southbound 2025 Toyota operated by Kadakia.
Henson was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Kadakia and Zavalataseca suffered major injuries and were both transported to Antelope Valley Medical Center for treatment.
Investigators determined that the injured drivers wearing seatbelts were the 2023 Ford and 2025 Toyota operators. Henson was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. CHP reported that alcohol or drug impairment is not suspected as a factor in the crash.
CHP officers responded to the scene to provide aid, investigate the collision, and manage traffic while the roadway was cleared and the investigation continued.
The collision caused temporary traffic delays in the area as authorities worked to reopen the affected sections of 170th Street East.
The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Original Story
Lake Los Angeles, CA. – At least one person died in a multi-vehicle collision that happened Monday evening near an intersection in Lake Los Angeles.
According to the California Highway Patrol logs, the incident occurred around 6:15 p.m. on 170th Street East and Rawhide Avenue.
A white Toyota Tundra pickup truck, a white sedan, and an SUV were involved in the accident.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene.
The report said at least one person died in the accident.
It was unclear if there were any other injuries sustained.
All three vehicles were towed away from the scene.
Authorities are investigating to determine the cause of the collision.
Los Angeles County has historically experienced significant traffic safety challenges, although recent data indicates some improvements in its California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) rankings and a decrease in total victims killed and injured from peak years. The county consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous in the state for traffic collisions, leading in both population and accident volume. In 2022, there were 8,944 victims killed and injured in total fatal and injury collisions, which gave the county an OTS ranking of 14 out of 15 comparable entities, indicating improvement from previous years, where it ranked 1/15 (worst) in 2018 and 2019. Â Despite overall improvements in rankings, specific collision types remain a concern. In 2022, there were 1,524 pedestrian victims killed and injured, and 475 bicyclist victims killed and injured. Pedestrians, in particular, account for a disproportionately high number of traffic deaths in the region, a trend that has persisted in recent years. Alcohol-involved collisions also contributed significantly to the 2022 statistics, with 1,676 victims killed and injured.
Did You Lose Your Loved One in this Car Accident?
Losing your loved one in a traffic collision is a tragic event that leaves families devastated. The results of a fatal collision cannot be undone, but the law provides an opportunity to the victim’s family to mitigate the outcomes by seeking compensation. You can learn more about the legal options you have by visiting our Los Angeles car accident page.