Available 
La Crescenta, CA (August 21, 2026) — One person was transported from the scene on Wednesday, August 19, after a multi-vehicle crash involving a big rig that caught fire on the westbound 210 Freeway near Pennsylvania Avenue in La Crescenta.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported at about 10:55 a.m. All westbound lanes were closed, and CHP issued a SigAlert for the freeway until further notice.
The available report did not identify the condition of the person who was transported or say how many other vehicles were involved.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. We hope the person transported from the scene has a speedy recovery.
Where the Collision Happened: I-210 Near Pennsylvania Avenue
The collision occurred on the westbound 210 Freeway near Pennsylvania Avenue. Freeway traffic moves through continuous travel lanes where incidents can quickly affect multiple lanes and reduce the space available for approaching motorists to react.
A crash involving a large commercial vehicle can also require more roadway space for emergency crews, towing operations, and scene clearance. In this case, the westbound closure extended across all lanes while authorities responded.
What We Know
- The crash was reported at about 10:55 a.m.
- Multiple vehicles were involved.
- A big rig caught fire.
- One person was transported from the scene.
- All westbound lanes of the 210 Freeway were shut down.
- CHP issued a SigAlert for the closure.
- The collision occurred near Pennsylvania Avenue.
Why a Fire Can Complicate a Multi-Vehicle Freeway Collision
A vehicle fire can add another layer of danger to an already complex multi-vehicle collision. Responders may need to manage flames, smoke, damaged vehicles, and moving traffic simultaneously while creating sufficient working space for medical personnel and fire crews.
That challenge is especially significant on a freeway such as I-210, where secondary hazards can develop if approaching traffic reaches a blocked or partially obstructed scene. The involvement of a big rig can further complicate access and removal because of the vehicle’s size.
The available report does not explain what caused the fire or whether it began before or after the initial collision.
How This Crash Is Investigated
In a multi-vehicle freeway collision, investigators may examine the damage to each vehicle, their final positions, roadway evidence, and the sequence of impacts.
Because one of the vehicles caught fire, investigators may also need to distinguish crash damage from fire damage while reconstructing the event. Statements from drivers or witnesses can then be compared with the physical evidence to determine how the collision developed.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in California
After a multi-vehicle collision, preserving medical records, photographs, towing documents, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, and other crash-related records can help maintain a clear account of what happened. The completed collision report can also provide a more formal record than the first news or scene reports, which may change as investigators complete their review.
For crashes investigated by the California Highway Patrol, reports may be requested through the CHP Crash Portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov or by using CHP 190 by mail or in person. The collision report itself is identified as CHP 555, while CHP 190 is the request form. California Highway Patrol lists an online portal fee of $22 and a mail or in-person fee of $10 per 25 pages.
A report becomes available after the officer files it, and the portal indicates when it is ready. Under Vehicle Code § 20012, eligible parties of interest include a driver, passenger, vehicle or property owner, parent or guardian, and a legal or insurance representative. These reports are not public and are restricted to parties of interest, with no fixed public-release window.
Local Accident Reports compiles incident information from official agencies and credible local sources. Details from initial reports may be updated as official investigations conclude. If you have direct knowledge that any information here is inaccurate, please contact us so we can review and correct the record.
