The pileup was reported around 9 a.m., December 29, on the northbound 5 Freeway at the 118 Freeway.
Los Angeles, CA – At least five people were injured in a multi-vehicle collision involving a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s inmate van that happened Monday morning in Mission Hills, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported.
The pileup was reported around 9 a.m., December 29, on the northbound 5 Freeway at the 118 Freeway.
LAFD said the accident involved multiple vehicles but did not specify the exact number of the cars.
At least five people sustained minor injuries in the incident. It was unclear if any of the patients were inmates or deputies.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Los Angeles continues to face a significant challenge with traffic safety, consistently experiencing high rates of collisions, injuries, and fatalities. In 2023, there were 337 traffic-related fatalities in the city of Los Angeles, surpassing the number of homicides that year. This trend reflects a worrying increase, with deaths rising for three consecutive years despite the city’s “Vision Zero” initiative, which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities by 2025. Preliminary data for 2024 suggested the city was on pace for another year with over 300 deaths. Â A major characteristic of LA’s crash statistics is the disproportionate risk to vulnerable road users: more than half of the traffic deaths in 2023 were pedestrians. Hit-and-run incidents are also a persistent problem, accounting for 108 deaths in 2023, and data for 2024 indicated a continued high rate of such collisions, with communities of color being disproportionately affected. Common contributing factors to these incidents include speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence (DUI), with the most dangerous times often being weekday afternoons and evenings. Major interstates (such as the I-10, I-405, and I-5) and heavily trafficked local intersections are identified as crash hotspots within the county.
Seek Legal Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a family member was hurt in this traffic collision, speak with a Pacific Attorney Group personal injury lawyer for legal help. Visit our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer page for more information.