The pileup occurred around 5 a.m., December 28, on the southbound 5 Fwy just south of 4th Street.
Los Angeles, CA – One person died, and 15 others were injured Sunday morning when a semi-truck collided with several other vehicles on the 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The pileup occurred around 5 a.m., December 28, on the southbound 5 Fwy just south of 4th Street.
A semi-truck collided with at least nine vehicles under unclear circumstances.
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded and pronounced one person dead at the scene.
The firefighters evaluated 15 others for injuries and transported 10 of them to local hospitals.
At least one of the vehicles caught fire in the collision.
Nine vehicles sustained major front-end damage.
All lanes of southbound 5 Fwy at 4th Street remained closed until around 11 a.m. following the crash.
Los Angeles continues to face a significant challenge with traffic safety, consistently experiencing high rates of vehicle collisions, injuries, and fatalities. The city has struggled to curb traffic deaths despite the “Vision Zero” initiative launched in 2015, which aimed to eliminate all traffic fatalities by 2025. In 2023, Los Angeles recorded 337 traffic-related deaths, a 7.3% increase from the previous year, with fatalities surpassing homicides for the year. Preliminary data for 2024 suggested around 28,916 total reported crashes, averaging nearly 79 collisions daily, with hundreds of fatalities. Â A major characteristic of LA’s crash statistics is the disproportionate risk to vulnerable road users: more than half of the fatalities in recent years have been pedestrians and cyclists. For example, in 2023, 179 victims were pedestrians. Hit-and-run incidents are a particular concern, with 106 people killed in such collisions in 2023, a 23% surge from 2022. Â Primary contributing factors to these incidents include driver negligence (such as speeding and distracted driving), impaired driving, and problematic road infrastructure.
Seek Legal Help from Pacific Attorney Group
Were you injured or lost a loved one in this multi-vehicle collision? If a third party’s negligence resulted in a car crash that left you with injuries or killed your family member, you may file for compensation. A car accident attorney can help in your fight for justice. To learn more about your legal options, visit our Los Angeles car accident lawyer page.