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CARSON, Los Angeles County, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 — Four vehicles collided on Thursday morning, September 24, on southbound I-405 near Wilmington Avenue in Carson. The crash blocked the carpool lane and the number one lane during the morning commute.
The California Highway Patrol's initial log described a gray sedan colliding with two other vehicles, with a fourth vehicle reportedly involved shortly after. Vehicles involved were reported as a Chevrolet SUV, a Lucid SUV, a Toyota RAV4, and a Kia. However, officials have not confirmed how each vehicle was involved or in what order the collisions happened.
Fire crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene, and at least some injuries were reported, though the extent of the injuries has not been released.
Tow trucks were dispatched to clear the wreckage, with responders coordinating for more than an hour to sort out which trucks were assigned to which vehicles and locations. Some vehicles were reported moved off the freeway near Wilmington Avenue and 220th Street before the scene was fully cleared later that morning. The CHP has not released a cause for the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
When Multi-Vehicle Pileups Are Most Likely to Happen
Chain-reaction crashes involving three or more vehicles cluster heavily around the morning and evening commute, when traffic is densest and following distances shrink. A single hard brake near the front of a pack can trigger a domino effect before drivers further back have time to react, especially in lanes carrying merging or high-occupancy traffic like carpool lanes.
Visibility and driver attention both shift during commute hours. Morning glare, stop-and-go congestion, and drivers checking phones or navigation apps all narrow the window a person has to notice slowing traffic ahead. Wet pavement or morning fog can extend stopping distances further, turning a two-car tap into a four- or five-vehicle pileup.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. Multi-vehicle crashes on freeways usually involve exactly this mix of vehicle types and speeds, which is part of why investigators take time sorting out how each vehicle became involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes multi-vehicle crashes difficult to investigate?
Investigators have to determine the sequence of impacts, not just the final resting positions of the vehicles. Skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and witness accounts usually conflict when several cars are involved, so agencies typically take longer to issue a final cause.
What usually causes a chain-reaction pileup?
Sudden braking, following too closely, and reduced visibility are common contributing factors. One vehicle stopping short in heavy traffic can set off a series of collisions among vehicles that don't have room to stop safely.
How can drivers reduce the chance of getting caught in one?
Leaving extra following distance and slowing early when brake lights appear ahead gives a driver more time to react. Avoiding lane changes in dense, high-speed traffic also lowers the odds of getting boxed in when a crash starts ahead.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Carson, CA
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, move to a safe location if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so, and turn on hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic. Check on passengers and other drivers, and call 911 to report injuries or request emergency response.
Even if you feel fine, a medical evaluation is worth getting soon after the crash, since some injuries from sudden stops or impacts don't show symptoms right away. Exchange information with other drivers involved and, if possible, take photos of vehicle positions and damage before vehicles are moved.
File a report with the California Highway Patrol if one hasn't already been taken at the scene, and keep any paperwork or reference numbers for your records. Carson residents dealing with the aftermath of a freeway crash should also notify their insurance provider promptly to begin the claims process.
